From there on, he built a string of wins that led him to challenge IBF featherweight champion Calvin Grove in boxing's last 15 round world title fight.
He then won the WBO featherweight title in a unification bout against Louie Espinoza (in a rematch of their 1989 fight that ended in a draw) by split decision.
On November 6, 1992, Paez fought against future world champion Rafael Ruelas for the NABF lightweight title, losing by TKO in the 10 round.
Paez then went up against WBA super featherweight champion Genaro Hernandez in a non-title bout, losing by TKO in the 8th round due to cuts.
On August 17, 1996, he won the WBC Continental Americas super featherweight regional title by knocking out Narciso Valenzuela in 3 rounds.
In his next bout in October 1999, Paez boxed future lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo, losing by KO in the fifth round.
Paez had a brief supporting role with World Wrestling Entertainment as an associate of Rey Mysterio, and accompanied him to the ring at the No Way Out pay-per-view event on February 15, 2004.