WBO featherweight champion Oscar Valdez faces a crucial return to action tonight (February 2) in Texas. He hasn’t fought since breaking his jaw while beating Scott Quigg in March of last year. After joining new trainer Eddy Reynoso, he puts his world title on the line against Italy’s Carmine Tommasone at Ford Center at the Star in Frisco on the same bill as Sergey Kovalev’s rematch with Eleider Alvarez.
His recovery over the past 11 months has been tortuous. “It was one of the most difficult times of my life. Having my jaw wired shut for two months was the hardest thing I’ve ever dealt with. That’s in the past now. I’m ready to focus on this fight. I’m 100 percent healed from that injury. That’s not going to bother me no more. I’m just excited to get back in the ring. It’s been almost a year since my last fight. I’ve been training hard with my new trainer, Eddy Reynoso. It’s been a great training camp, and I just can’t wait to get in there and start again where I left off,” he said.
“We had a great training camp, me and Eddy Reynoso. I never take no fighter lightly. There was a point where no one knew who Manny Pacquiao was when he came to the United States and had his first fight. And he became a star. So, we don’t know what Tommasone can bring. I will be 100 percent ready for him, or for any fighter, because I don’t take no fighter lightly. I have the same respect for all fighters inside the ring, and I’m going to do whatever I have to do come out victorious. One thing in my mind is to not take him lightly and just try to get the job done and keep on improving my career. I’m definitely focused on this fight and start where I left off.”
Carmine Tommasone pointed out, “I fought in America as an amateur. This is my first time as a professional. When I got the call [to fight Valdez], it was like an early Christmas present because it was early December. I prepared well for this opportunity.”
