Oscar Valdez vs. Carmine Tommasone - February 2, 2019

[Ruthless-RKO]

An already significant Top Rank Boxing on ESPN card on Feb. 2 headlined by the Eleider "Storm" Alvarez-Sergey Kovalev light heavyweight title rematch was expanded to a four-fight show on Wednesday that will play out over the main network as well as ESPN+.

Top Rank announced on Wednesday that the card will also include the return of featherweight world titleholder Oscar Valdez after nearly a year out of action due to injury in a defense against Carmine Tommasone; blue-chip lightweight prospect Teofimo Lopez Jr. in a 10-rounder; and, as expected, the vacant lightweight title bout between Richard Commey and Isa Chaniev.

The card, which will take place at the Ford Center at the Star -- the training facility of the Dallas Cowboys -- in Frisco, Texas, on the eve of the Super Bowl, will begin at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+ with preliminary action. From 10 p.m. to approximately midnight, the show will air on ESPN and ESPN Deportes for Commey-Chaniev followed by Valdez-Tommasone. And at midnight, the action will shift back to ESPN+ for Lopez's bout against an opponent to be determined followed by the Alvarez-Kovalev II main event.

Valdez (24-0, 19 KOs), 27, of Mexico, will make his fifth title defense when he faces Tommasone (19-0, 5 KOs), 34, of Italy.

"It will be great to see our little warrior, Oscar Valdez, back in action on Feb. 2 after his full recovery from a broken jaw and a courageous victory over Quigg," Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said. "Oscar always brings thrills and excitement to his fights."

Valdez, now fully healed, has been anxious to get back in the ring for his first fight since leaving trainer Manny Robles in favor of Eddy Reynoso, who is best known as the head trainer for superstar Canelo Alvarez.

"The fans can expect the same Oscar Valdez as far as being an aggressive and exciting fighter," Valdez said. "They are also going to see a different side that nobody has seen, which is the boxing skills that I also have and that I'm perfecting and learning with my new trainer, Eddy Reynoso."

Tommasone, who will fight outside of Italy for the first time, will be taking a massive step up in his competition level. He has faced extremely low-level opposition since turning pro in 2010. He was one of three professional boxers to compete in the 2016 Rio Olympics, which was open to professionals. Tommasone won his opening bout before losing to the eventual bronze medalist Lazaro Alvarez of Cuba.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Mexi-Box]

Does Reynoso train Horacio Garcia as well? I remember Garcia came absolutely jacked when he fought Frampton.

Anyways, not sure if Valdez would do good going with that camp.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Does Reynoso train Horacio Garcia as well? I remember Garcia came absolutely jacked when he fought Frampton.

Anyways, not sure if Valdez would do good going with that camp.

Canelo was there too, but I think that’s just cuz he’s Garcia’s friend.. maybe they are stablemates.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Valdez has been in some tough fights recently.. he needs a good performance. Maybe a knockout here..

[Mexi-Box]

Does Reynoso train Horacio Garcia as well? I remember Garcia came absolutely jacked when he fought Frampton.

Anyways, not sure if Valdez would do good going with that camp.

Canelo was there too, but I think that’s just cuz he’s Garcia’s friend.. maybe they are stablemates.

Canelo promotes him. He's Canelo's fighter. I just don't know if they share trainers.

[Mexi-Box]

Valdez has been in some tough fights recently.. he needs a good performance. Maybe a knockout here..

Well, they were tough fights because he fought very tough fighters. Servania, Quigg, and Marriaga are absolute no joke. They were going to be tough fights whether he had Reynoso or Robles in his corner.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I meant to bump this

[Best Coast]

Valdez has been in some tough fights recently.. he needs a good performance. Maybe a knockout here..

I think Oscar should get the KO here. Tommasone is pushing 35 and hasnt fought longer than some 6-round decisions in over 2 years. He's been a bottom-feeder in those recent fights as well. Late-round KO or lopsided decision if Tommasone is in survival-mode!!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Valdez has been in some tough fights recently.. he needs a good performance. Maybe a knockout here..

I think Oscar should get the KO here. Tommasone is pushing 35 and hasnt fought longer than some 6-round decisions in over 2 years. He's been a bottom-feeder in those recent fights as well. Late-round KO or lopsided decision if Tommasone is in survival-mode!!

Yehh don’t think he’s had a KO since he won the belt.