FORMER two-weight world champion Oscar Valdez starts the rebuilding process once more when he takes on Richard Medina in a homecoming event at the Domo Binacional, Nogales, on Saturday evening. It’s hard to believe that the once fresh-faced banger of the 2012 Olympics is now 34 and entering the ring with three losses in his last five outings.
There have been some camp changes for Valdez since his last outing, a comprehensive sixth-round rematch loss to Emanuel Navarrete, where he showed signs of wear and tear. Leaving the Eddy Reynoso stable, on civil terms, Oscar has linked back up with former coach Manny Robles in a bid to reignite the old fire.
While it might take more than that to topple the top fighters, he should have more than enough to dismiss 24-year-old Texan Medina, 16-3 (9 KOs), in their 10-round headliner. Medina’s three losses have all arrived over the distance, and he’s been the full 10 with Raymond Ford, so he has a survival pedigree at a good level.
Valdez, 32-3 (24 KOs), is expected to continue his campaign at super-featherweight, where he won and lost world titles. Even though Top Rank are involved in this event, alongside Zanfer Boxing, there has been concern in some quarters over Valdez’s decision to keep on punching for pay.
Bob Arum told Boxing News at the tail end of 2024, “Speaking for myself, because I like the kid so much, I think enough is enough.” Going on to explain how Valdez has been financially savvy, meaning he doesn’t need to keep on earning, Arum added, “I think he should consider becoming a trainer. Because, I mean, his style is such that he takes a tremendous number of punches in every fight because he’s so aggressive.”
Anyone heading down to Sonora at the weekend will have plenty to get their teeth into, as, at the time of writing, the card is scheduled for 14 contests. Headliner Valdez has apparently been looking sharp in training and sparring under Robles, but several hard fights, including a broken jaw against Scott Quigg, can have an impact. All factors highlighted by Arum’s words of caution.
For now, Arum and company are firmly in backing their man, as Bob stated, ahead of the Medina clash that “Oscar has been with Top Rank since he turned pro, and we are in his corner as he attempts to become a three-time world champion.”
The current 130-pound champions are Emanuel Navarrete (WBO, who has already defeated Valdez twice), Eduardo Nunez (defends the IBF on the same night), O’Shaquie Foster (WBC) and Lamont Roach Jr (WBA). Valdez will need to ensure that he has a competitive chance of beating them to become a three-time world champion, rather than a just quality name on a champion’s record.
