Rafael Orono


Jesus Rafael Orono is a former boxer from Venezuela. He won the inaugural WBC super-flyweight title in 1980, thus becoming the very first champion in the division.

Amateur career

Born in Patono, Sucre, Orono began as an amateur and compiled a record of 49 wins and 8 losses.

Amateur highlights

  • Central American Games champion
  • Silver Medal "Copa de los Reyes"
  • Boxan Champion 1977 & 1978
  • Bronze at the Cordova Cardin, Cuba

Professional boxing career

Orono turned professional in 1979. In his 11th professional fight the following year, the then-undefeated Orono captured the inaugural WBC super-flyweight title, winning a decision over Seung-Hoon Lee. He successfully defended his title three times, before losing it to Chul-Ho Kim in 1981 by KO. He recaptured the title in a 1982 rematch with Kim, winning by TKO. Orono defended his belt three more times including against Mexican challenger Raul Valdez, before losing it to Payao Poontarat by decision in 1983. In 1985, he took on WBA super-flyweight title holder Khaosai Galaxy, but lost by TKO. Orono retired from boxing in 1988.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
41Loss32–7–2Daniel BlancoTKO9 Aug 13, 1988Plaza de Toros de Cartagena de Indias, Cartagena, Colombia
40Loss32–6–2Sugar Baby RojasUD10Jul 11, 1986Tamiami Fairgrounds Auditorium, Miami, Florida, U.S.
39Loss32–5–2Eudo BermudezKO1 Dec 21, 1985Caracas, Venezuela
38Loss32–4–2Edgar MonserratUD10Oct 5, 1985Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama
37Loss32–3–2Khaosai GalaxyTKO5 Jul 21, 1985Rajadamnern Stadium, Bangkok, ThailandFor WBA super flyweight title
36Win32–2–2Hector MartinezPTS10Mar 24, 1985Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
35Win31–2–2Valerio ZeaUD10Nov 10, 1984Concorde Boxing Arena, Oranjestad, Aruba
34Draw30–2–2Eudo BermudezPTS10Oct 6, 1984Concorde Boxing Arena, Oranjestad, Aruba
33Win30–2–1Luis NavarroPTS10Apr 2, 1984Caracas, Venezuela
32Loss29–2–1Payao PoontaratSD12Nov 27, 1983Grand Palace Hotel, Pattaya, ThailandLost WBC super flyweight title
31Win29–1–1Orlando MaldonadoTKO5 Oct 29, 1983Coliseo Naciones Unidas, Caracas, VenezuelaRetained WBC super flyweight title
30Win28–1–1Raul ValdezUD12May 9, 1983Hilton Hotel, Caracas, VenezuelaRetained WBC super flyweight title
29Win27–1–1Pedro RomeroKO4 Jan 31, 1983El Poliedro, Caracas, VenezuelaRetained WBC super flyweight title
28Win26–1–1Kim Chul-hoTKO6 Nov 28, 1982Changchung Gymnasium, Seoul, South KoreaWon WBC super flyweight title
27Win25–1–1Victor GonzalezKO1 Aug 30, 1982El Tigre, Venezuela
26Win24–1–1Francisco QuirozPTS10Jun 21, 1982Cumaná, Venezuela
25Win23–1–1Leopoldo FriasKO2 May 24, 1982Cumaná, Venezuela
24Win22–1–1Dorismel ZunigaKO2 Apr 12, 1982Barquisimeto, Venezuela
23Win21–1–1Seoul-Chon HwangPTS10Feb 22, 1982Valencia, Venezuela
22Win20–1–1Rafael JulioTKO1 Dec 13, 1981Carúpano, Venezuela
21Win19–1–1Oscar BolivarPTS10Nov 16, 1981Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela
20Win18–1–1Johnny JacksonTKO2 Oct 19, 1981Caracas, Venezuela
19Win17–1–1Franklin MartinezTKO8 Aug 10, 1981Caracas, Venezuela
18Win16–1–1Francisco GonzalezKO4 Jun 29, 1981El Poliedro, Caracas, Venezuela
17Win15–1–1Javier BrownTKO10 May 9, 1981Caracas, Venezuela
16Win14–1–1Kim Sung-junPTS10Apr 6, 1981Caracas, Venezuela
15Loss13–1–1Kim Chul-hoKO9 Jan 24, 1981Plaza Monumental, San Cristóbal, VenezuelaLost WBC super flyweight title
14Win13–0–1Jovito RengifoTKO3 Sep 15, 1980Domo Bolivariano, Barquisimeto, VenezuelaRetained WBC super flyweight title
13Draw12–0–1Willie JensenMD15Jul 28, 1980Nuevo Circo, Caracas, VenezuelaRetained WBC super flyweight title
12Win12–0Ramon Balbino SoriaUD15Apr 14, 1980Nuevo Circo, Caracas, VenezuelaRetained WBC super flyweight title
11Win11–0Lee Seung-hoonSD15Feb 2, 1980Nuevo Circo, Caracas, VenezuelaWon inaugural WBC super flyweight title
10Win10–0Jorge VargasTKO9 Dec 19, 1979Caracas, Venezuela
9Win9–0Luis A BurgosPTS10Oct 26, 1979Caracas, Venezuela
8Win8–0Jorge CruzTKO2 Sep 29, 1979Santa Bárbara, Venezuela
7Win7–0Edgar RomanSD12Sep 15, 1979Nuevo Circo, Caracas, VenezuelaWon vacant Venezuelan bantamweight title
6Win6–0Aureliano CastilloPTS10Aug 11, 1979Caracas, Venezuela
5Win5–0Enrique PintoKO3 Jul 21, 1979Caracas, Venezuela
4Win4–0Henry DiazPTS10Jun 2, 1979Caracas, Venezuela
3Win3–0Alfredo MendozaTKO3 May 6, 1979Caracas, Venezuela
2Win2–0Hernan PalaciosPTS4Mar 18, 1979Caracas, Venezuela
1Win1–0Victor IdrogoPTS4Feb 18, 1979Caracas, Venezuela

After boxing

In 2025, Orono was honored by the Venezuelan Sports Ministry. W.B.C. president Mauricio Sulaiman awarded him a new world championship belt as part of the ceremony.