Two-time world champion Oscar Valdez stopped Liam Wilson to earn the WBO interim 130lb title last Friday night in Phoenix. Current WBO junior lightweight champion Emmanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete is moving up to fight Denys Berinchyk for the vacant WBO lightweight title on May 18. If Navarrete wins and elects to stay at lightweight, Valdez is expected to be elevated to full champion status.
So what’s in store for Valdez next?
“Just a nice rest for now,” manager Frank Espinoza stated. “He deserves it. In due time we’ll sit with our team and discuss his future. Oscar is going to keep surprising the boxing public. He still has plenty of boxing legs. He’s an exciting fighter to watch because he’ll give you everything he has and that’s why he has such a great following.”
After he completes his well earned rest, let’s take a look at Valdez vs. Bell or Valdez vs. Cordina.
Albert Bell has been #1 and mandatory for that belt for quite awhile and they gave Navarrete an eighteen month buffer when they declared him super champion. Certainly Valdez won’t get that treatment. Foster also fights for TopRank so maybe unification.
And also, he gave Oscar and Nava a ton of trouble – maybe Conceicao deserves another shot.
I’d love to see him fight Foster! Foster an underrated fighter to some degree and would really like to see him make good money! Against Valdez he’ll make that and it’ll be a HELL OF A FIGHT!!!!
I’d actually take Foster over Valdez.
I would too. I think foster is a helluva a fighter with an incredible back story. I never count out Valdez though. I really thought he may have been poised for an upset against Wilson just a feeling, but he came ready.
I agree
There is no doubt that Valdez gives his all in every fight.