The six-week run of twice-a-week Top Rank on ESPN telecasts from inside the MGM Grand “Bubble” concluded Tuesday night with former featherweight world champion Oscar Valdez (28-0, 22 KOs) scored a tenth round KO over former world title challenger Jayson Velez (29-7-1, 21 KOs).
Ranked #1 by the WBC and WBO at junior lightweight, Valdez dropped Velez in round five and and twice in round ten. Time was 2:23.
“Miguel Berchelt is the fight I want. He has the WBC title at 130 pounds,” said Valdez. “I want the WBC title. Miguel and I would make for a great fight. I never stop learning. I will go back to the gym and continue to improve. I’m in a great rhythm with my trainer, Eddy Reynoso.”
“Velez was everything I expected, a tough warrior who fought his heart out. I commend him for a great performance and a great fight.”
Unbeaten super middleweight knockout sensation Edgar Berlanga (14-0, 14 KOs), who has knocked out all 14 foes in the first round, knocked out Eric Moon (11-3, 6 KOs) in 62 seconds.
“We prepared to go rounds, but I got him hurt and got him out of there,” said Berlanga. “I still have so much room to grow as a fighter. The power is there, but I will show everyone that I am a well-rounded fighter. The knockout streak is cool, but there is more to me than first-round knockouts.”
Former junior featherweight world champion Isaac “Royal Storm” Dogboe (21-2, 15 KOs), on the comeback trail following back-to-back defeats to Emanuel Navarrete, scored an eighth round TKO over two-time world title challenger Chris “The Hitman” Avalos (27-8, 20 KOs) in a featherweight battle. Time was 2:25. Dogboe was deducted a point for a questionable low blow in round five.
“Avalos took a great shot,” said Dogboe. “I broke him down, and to get a knockout in my first fight back, I am tremendously content. I wanted to show everyone that Isaac Dogboe never went away. I’m still here, and I am only getting better.”
Unbeaten junior welterweight Elvis “The Dominican Kid” Rodriguez (8-0-1, 8 KOs) laid out Dennis Okoth (4-4-1, 2 KOs) with a crushing straight left in round two. Time was 2:33.
In a clash between unbeaten female light flyweights, Kim Clavel (12-0, 2 KOs) outscored Natalie Gonzalez (6-1, 1 KO) over eight by scores of 80-72 3x. Clavel was recently honored for her work as an elder care nurse in Montreal during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Man, I don’t see this kid beating Berchelt. His left hook is a thing of beauty when he lands it but he missed a lot with it and his right tonight. He right doesn’t seem to have the pop his left does and his jab is non existent. Backs up a lot also.
Valdez was unimpressive in victory. Velez was slow and inaccurate with his punches, but he was busy and threw a lot of them. Valdez was the smaller man and had a hard time connecting solidly with Velez. He missed a lot with his left hook and probably could have connected more by going to the body and bringing his headshots lower. He threw a lot of winging left hooks that hit nothing but air. He didn’t use his jab much to set up his other punches, and Velez kept him moving backward most of the fight.
You could tell that Velez couldn’t take it to the body but Oscar kept headhunting. An uneven performance by Valdez despite the last round TKO. Velez was just exhausted by the end and didn’t have much steam on his punches at that point.
Valdez just doesn’t look ready for a fighter like Berchelt, and he may never be. Berchelt, like Velez, throws a lot of punches but is accurate with his shots. Oscar will be in for a beating if he faces Berchelt next.
As for Berlanga, he looked impressive but you can’t really tell much with all his victories coming in the first round. He hits hard, boxes well, and looks like he has the skills to rise to the top sooner rather than later. We just don’t know if he can take a good shot and if he can maintain his form deep into a fight. It may be time to put him in with a fringe contender before matching him with the better fighters in the division. He has all the potential in the world, but shouldn’t be rushed at this early stage of his development. I would like to see him get tested soon by someone who isn’t going to fall early in the fight.
Good show and Top Rank has brought boxing back and should be appreciated for this.
So thankful to Top Rank for putting boxing back for us all to enjoy. The fights were great to see and we had so real good matchups most notably the Adam Lopez match, which should be a contender for fight of the year. Seeing the little known fighters get their chance was awesome and because of that, who isn’t a Clay Collard fan now? It wasn’t always perfect but it was great to see live boxing!!!!!!