OSCAR VALDEZ defended his WBO featherweight title on Saturday. At the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno he turned away the challenge of Jason Sanchez. Valdez had dropped the previously unbeaten Sanchez in the fifth round but went on to win a wide, unanimous points decision 117-110 and 118-109 twice.
This was just his second fight with new trainer Eddy Reynoso, the coach renowned for taking Canelo Alvarez to the top of the sport. Valdez hopes to fight at featherweight again. But he noted, “I also have to listen to my body. We’re going to see what’s best.
“Sometimes I get tired in there, and I’m not sure if it’s because of the weight loss. We’ll talk about [the next move] as a team and will do what is best. I want to fight everybody at 126, 130lbs. Let’s do it.”
Promoter Bob Arum said, “Sanchez lacked experience, but he showed tremendous guts. Oscar Valdez fought him back and showed his championship heart.”
If he is going to move up a division, Valdez’s last fight at featherweight could come against Norther Ireland’s Carl Frampton, now part of the same Top Rank promotional stable. Arum said, “We’re going to look for a fight later on in the year between Valdez and Carl Frampton if Frampton is successful in his next fight.”
Frampton is expect to box next himself in August.
