Payao to rely on experience vs. Yu in Who’s Next? 5

Jhaleel Payao will rely on his experience and ring smarts in a tough test against hard-hitter Raul Yu on Oct. 27 in the main event of Who’s Next? 5 - “Civil War” at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.

“We are confident. I trust Payao in this fight. Our advantage is our experience and ring IQ. We will dictate the fight. I know Jhaleel fights intelligently,” Payao’s coach Jinggoy Junco told SunStar Cebu.

The 24-year-old Payao, who fights out of the Omega Boxing Gym, is defending his Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) Yu.

Payao is on a roll, winning his last four fights since suffering the first loss of his career against Michael Dasmarinas in 2015.

Junco expects Yu to give Payao a tough fight because he’s one of the promising youngsters from the ALA Gym.

“The kid has power. Yu is a heavy puncher. We won’t take any chances in the first few rounds and we are ready for whatever happens inside the ring. The Cebuano fans will surely have fun and we will put in a good show,” he said.

The 23-year-old Yu is eager to bounce back after suffering a unanimous decision over Jade Bornea in a vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) Youth super flyweight fight in Gen. Santos. Yu, who’s trained by fast-rising trainer Michael Domingo, hasn’t fought since his loss to Bornea in February.

Payao is 15-1 with nine knockouts, while Yu is 9-22 with eight knockouts.

Payao has been sparring with Omega Boxing Gym stablemates Tomjune Mangubat, Kenny Demecillo and Jason Canoy, who are all seeing action in the same card.

Canoy (26-7-2, 7 KOs) is fighting in the main supporting bout against Payao’s original schedules opponent Renerio Arizala. Demecillo (12-4-2, 7 KOs), in the meantime, slugs it out with experienced Gerpaul Valero (21-19-4, 15 KOs) in what should be a very exciting fight. While the unbeaten Mangubat (7-0, 7 KOs) faces off with fellow prospect Crisanto Contemprato (6-3-1, 4 KOs).