On Friday, March 29, Oscar Valdez (31-2, 23 KOs) will take on Liam Wilson (13-2, 7 KOs) at the Desert Diamond Arena live on ESPN+ in a 12-round junior lightweight clash, with Valdez chasing another world title shot. The co-feature will be the highly anticipated undisputed minimumweight clash between Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada and Yokasta Valle. Following a recent training session in San Diego, the former two-division Mexican world champion spoke about his upcoming fight and his aims for the future.
Oscar Valdez Ready for a Tough Fight Against Liam Wilson
Oscar Valdez Targets World Title Fight After Liam Wilson Bout
Valdez spoke on the importance of this fight: “This is definitely a crossroads fight because it will determine who gets closer to a world title opportunity. My goal for 2024 is to be a world champion again. I miss being a world champion. Boxing is my life. If you are not striving to be the best, then what are you doing in this sport? I always train hard to be the best. So, this fight means everything because winning this fight will put me one step closer to a world title shot.”
Despite realising the challenge Wilson brings, the Nogales native is feeling confident: “Liam Wilson is a tough fighter. I was there when he fought Emanuel Navarrete. He’s the kind of fighter who doesn’t give up. You can’t count out a fighter like that, so I’m taking this very seriously. I know it’s not going to be an easy (fight). But nothing is impossible. Every fighter is beatable. You just have to go in there with a smart game plan.”
The importance of this fight is not lost on the Mexican: “Fighting in Arizona means a lot to me because I know a lot of people from all over Sonora, Mexico, will be there as well as a lot of people from Tucson, Phoenix and all over Arizona. So it means everything, especially because of my last fight. I wanted to give the fans a good fight, and we lost. I was heartbroken because I wanted to give the fans a good fight and the victory. That wasn’t the case, so this is my chance again.”
Watching both fighter’s styles, it’s clear this fight will be entertaining: “After seeing him in there with Navarrete and knowing my style, this will definitely be war,” said Valdez. He continued: “It will be a fan-friendly fight. I’ve seen that he has a lot of heart when he fought Navarrete. But we’re going to see who has more heart and who wants it more.”
Journey to This Fight
Valdez is a two-time Mexican Olympian who won the WBO featherweight strap in 2016 with a KO victory over Matias Rueda. The Mexican enjoyed good wins over Robson Conceição and Miguel Berchelt before suffering his first professional loss in a unification bout against Shakur Stevenson in April 2022. The Nogales native bounced back with a win against Adam Lopez before losing to Emanuel Navarrete last time out.
Following a loss to Navarrete, Wilson has bounced back with two wins against Jackson Jon England and Carlos Maria Alanis.
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