Oscar Valdez vs. Jayson Velez - July 21, 2020

[gregregegg]

Geezes, they are going to have to find this guys some super Durable guys to fight. The first round gimmic is fun for marketing. but not great for learning. sure you can learn sparing, but you gotta bank some pro rounds to learn things befor you get to world levle.

[gilgamesh]

Geezes, they are going to have to find this guys some super Durable guys to fight. The first round gimmic is fun for marketing. but not great for learning. sure you can learn sparing, but you gotta bank some pro rounds to learn things befor you get to world levle.

Yeah I'm sure they can find a kinda tough guy. Within about 6 fights I'd look at matching him against a guy like say "Porky" Medina. He's pretty durable.

[diddy]

Berlanga hits like a Mack Truck.

[jujigatame]

I think Valdez is well ahead on the cards at this point but I wouldn't say he looks good.

[diddy]

On a TR card - with a knockdown - he’s up. Even tho he arguably is losing the fight.

[jujigatame]

That TKO10 on the record is gonna mask what was an extremely mediocre performance.

[gregregegg]

Valdez was going to win, but geeze they wanted to stop that bad to give Valdez the TKO that got him off balance should of at least given him a partial count and have a look. If there is 2:30 to go ok, but with 40 seconds left. let him at least try to stand up and answer your questions.

Overall Poor from Valdez, Guttsy from Velez.

[Cent0089]

Berchelt - Valdez, just bring it on. No more bullsh´t

[margaret thatcher]

Berchelt - Valdez, just bring it on. No more bullsh´t

[gregregegg]

Berchelt - Valdez, just bring it on. No more bullsh´t

As a fan yes, but as valdezs team, fornicate no. they would be mental too. not that he isn't good enough when fireing, but how are you ment to be confident enough coming of a piss weak performance like today. its not like it would be a massive cash out. that i could understand, but i think he needs to rebuild and figure out how the fornicate he wants to fight, cause not getting inside and trying to sometimes counter from range, isnt going to work for him.

[Cent0089]

Berchelt - Valdez, just bring it on. No more bullsh´t

As a fan yes, but as valdezs team, fornicate no. they would be mental too. not that he isn't good enough when fireing, but how are you ment to be confident enough coming of a piss weak performance like today. its not like it would be a massive cash out. that i could understand, but i think he needs to rebuild and figure out how the fornicate he wants to fight, cause not getting inside and trying to sometimes counter from range, isnt going to work for him.

He is undefeated and he was world champ. If he dont wanna fight best he should look for another job IMO. Still think Bob can promote this as a big thing for mexican fans and both Valdez and Berchelt can get some decent money and fame

[Ruthless-RKO]

Oscar Valdez dominates Jayson Velez

Former WBO featherweight world titleholder Oscar Valdez defeated Jayson Velez by 10th-round TKO in the main event of a Top Rank card Tuesday at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas.

It was Valdez's first time in the ring since November, when he defeated late replacement opponent Adam Lopez by seventh-round TKO.

It wasn't easy for Valdez, who often had issues with the aggression of Velez, but Valdez's superior power took over down the stretch.

Velez (29-7-1, 21 KOs) put Valdez on the defensive early, but Valdez (28-0, 22 KOs) eventually settled in and began to chip away. A left hook sent Velez to the canvas at the end of the fifth round, and in the ninth, a series of power punches buzzed Velez.

In the 10th, Valdez made the decision to pour it on and not play it safe. After shaking Velez with a left hook, Valdez used that same punch later to knock down Velez again. Velez got up and was swarmed with another series of punches from Valdez. As he stumbled into the ropes, the fight was waved off at 2:23 by referee Tony Weeks.

It was Velez's first loss via stoppage in 37 professional fights.

"Velez was everything I expected, a tough warrior who fought his heart out," Valdez said after his victory. "I commend him for a great performance and a great fight."

Valdez's overall performance left doubts as to how effective he is at junior lightweight after he moved up from featherweight. After his fourth fight under trainer Eddy Reynoso, there are still doubts as to whether this is the right fit for Valdez.

"I never stop learning. I will go back to the gym and continue to improve," Valdez said. "I'm in a great rhythm with my trainer, Eddy Reynoso."

Next for Valdez is supposed to be a showdown against WBC junior lightweight titleholder Miguel Berchelt.

"Miguel Berchelt is the fight I want," Valdez said. "He has the WBC title at 130 pounds. I want the WBC title. Miguel and I would make for a great fight."

Takeaway: Although Valdez scored a 10th-round knockout over the tough-as-nails Velez, you wonder if Valdez is going through a bit of an identity crisis. The end result was great, but the process leading up to it left you wondering if he's going through a change as a fighter.

The bigger question: Is Eddy Reynoso the right trainer for him? This is no knock on the highly accomplished Reynoso, who works with middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez and lightweight sensation Ryan Garcia. Reynoso is an excellent trainer, but he might not be the right one for Valdez. After four fights together, the light still hasn't come on for Valdez under his guidance.

In short, Valdez at his best is an attacking fighter who initiates contact. He isn't a fighter who is really comfortable or adept at getting on his back foot and trying to counter-punch. That's simply not who he is. Valdez is the type of fighter whose offense is his best defense. Regardless of the techniques being taught to him, they should always be implemented in aggressive fashion.

Valdez simply isn't Canelo, who has mastered the art of slipping, rolling and counter-punching.

Valdez's best moments against Velez came when he was taking the lead and creating his openings instead of waiting for them. To be fair, Velez is an extremely durable fighter who hasn't been stopped in the past 36 fights and in his previous bout took Jaime Arbodela to the limit, losing a contested split decision. Velez is still a very serviceable guy, and he put forth his trademark effort.

But looking to the future, if Valdez wants to have any legitimate shot at defeating Berchelt, he has to be himself.

Berlanga scores another first-round KO

Super middleweight hopeful Edgar Berlanga added to his impressive streak of first-round knockouts by stopping Eric Moon at 1:02 of the opening stanza. For Berlanga, it's the 14th consecutive first-round victory to begin his career.

Moon (11-3, 6 KOs) started the fight by rushing out at Berlanga (14-0, 14 KOs), trying to get him on his heels. But after that initial burst, Berlanga settled in and began to stalk Moon. As he got him into the neutral corner, Berlanga connected a booming overhand right that had Moon crumbling to the canvas -- and just like that, it was over. Referee Kenny Bayless really had no choice but to wave things off when he did. It took Moon a few minutes to gather himself before he rose to his feet.

"It was another step-up fight for me," Berlanga said afterward. "We prepared to go rounds, but I got him hurt and got him out of there.

"I still have so much room to grow as a fighter. The power is there, but I will show everyone that I am a well-rounded fighter. The knockout streak is cool, but there is more to me than first-round knockouts."



Dogboe stops Avalos in final round

Former WBO junior featherweight titlist Isaac Dogboe got back on the winning track by stopping Chris Avalos in the final round of their scheduled eight-round contest.

Dogboe (21-2, 14 KOs) was in complete control from the start, landing body shots followed by hard right hands over the top. Avalos (27-8, 20 KOs) was hurt consistently throughout this bout, both to the body and to the head. To his credit, Avalos tried his best to stave off Dogboe, but he simply didn't have the firepower.

After a hard right hand struck Avalos in the eighth round, referee Russell Mora waved off the fight at 2:25. It was Dogboe's first victory in nearly two years. After winning the junior featherweight belt in 2018 with an 11th-round KO victory over Jessie Magdaleno, Dogboe lost two consecutive bouts to Emanuel Navarette.

"I was off for 14 months," Dogboe said after the fight. "This was a long time coming. I felt great with my new trainer, Barry Hunter. We're only getting warmed up.

"Avalos took a great shot. I broke him down, and to get a knockout in my first fight back, I am tremendously content. I wanted to show everyone that Isaac Dogboe never went away. I'm still here, and I am only getting better."

[Cent0089]

Has this card better viewership than previous top rank cards ?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Has this card better viewership than previous top rank cards ?

Probably find that out tomorrow or a couple of day..

DW, I will post it.

[gregregegg]

Berchelt - Valdez, just bring it on. No more bullsh´t

As a fan yes, but as valdezs team, fornicate no. they would be mental too. not that he isn't good enough when fireing, but how are you ment to be confident enough coming of a piss weak performance like today. its not like it would be a massive cash out. that i could understand, but i think he needs to rebuild and figure out how the fornicate he wants to fight, cause not getting inside and trying to sometimes counter from range, isnt going to work for him.

He is undefeated and he was world champ. If he dont wanna fight best he should look for another job IMO. Still think Bob can promote this as a big thing for mexican fans and both Valdez and Berchelt can get some decent money and fame

Would normaly agree, but that was a poor preformance. i dont think you go for the killer of the division after a poor preformance. i mean, Jamel Herring? Alvarado? Diaz? santa cruz.... not mid levle, but id have him as favorite or even money any of them. i think Berchelt beats him badly right now. so unless its crazy cash, id aim for easyer belts for now.

[Onetimeonly]

He's never beating berchelt, now is better than later.

[jujigatame]

Valdez should avoid Berchelt. He will get smashed.

I'd actually like to see Valdez vs. Santa Cruz but that's one of those fights that will never happen because of promotional BS. TR is pushing the Berchelt/Valdez fight forward because it's easier for them to make.

[brilo33]

thought valdez looked sluggish, backing of a lot, which affected his power shots still good left hook, i am not sure if he has many more fights left in him, i like oscar but he is a come to war fighter , which has a date

[brilo33]

Berchelt looked in his last fight the type of fighter that would walk through valdez whether he was at his best or not

[gilgamesh]

Berchelt looked in his last fight the type of fighter that would walk through valdez whether he was at his best or not

Yep he did, and I believe he would.

[brilo33]

Berchelt looked in his last fight the type of fighter that would walk through valdez whether he was at his best or not

Yep he did, and I believe he would.

its funny i was thinking jono carroll would fancy a shot at valdez on that performance.

[Ruthless-RKO]

thought valdez looked sluggish, backing of a lot, which affected his power shots still good left hook, i am not sure if he has many more fights left in him, i like oscar but he is a come to war fighter , which has a date

The fight he had with Quigg was war. Done them both bad..

[brilo33]

thought valdez looked sluggish, backing of a lot, which affected his power shots still good left hook, i am not sure if he has many more fights left in him, i like oscar but he is a come to war fighter , which has a date

The fight he had with Quigg was war. Done them both bad..

totally agree , you cant have them to many times, both look like shells after . i get why the trainer wanted valdez on the deffenisive for velez fight, but i think it is to late and doesnt work for him

[Ruthless-RKO]

Valdez-Velez ESPN Telecast Peaks At 471K Viewers, Averaged 399K

Oscar Valdez closed the show in the ring and provided a much-needed ratings boost for his promoter in the process.

The July 21 edition of Top Rank Boxing on ESPN—topped by Valdez’s 10th round knockout of Puerto Rico’s Jayson Velez—averaged 399,000 viewers over the course of the three-hour telecast, according to Nielsen Media Research.

Tuesday’s five-fight telecast peaked at 471,000 viewers, coming in the 9:45-10:00pm ET block—when rising super middleweight Edgar Berlanga extended his 1st round knockout streak to 14 in a row following a 62-second blitzing of Eric Moon.

Valdez’s win over Velez (29-7-1, 21KOs) came in slightly under that mark, averaging more than 457,000 viewers. The 10-round main event peaked at 460,000 viewers, coming in the 10:00-10:15pm ET block. His bout topped the final Tuesday edition of the closed-doors series at MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas, with Top Rank moving to Thursdays only from the same venue beginning in August.

The overall telecast average is the best of the 13 weeknight editions which debuted six weeks ago. Valdez’s second straight win at junior lightweight—following a three-year featherweight title reign—eclipsed the June 9 series debut, which averaged 397,000 viewers. Topping that card was another former featherweight titlist now campaigning at 130 pounds, as Shakur Stevenson stopped Puerto Rico’s Felix Caraballo in the 6th round of a bout which peaked at 609,000 viewers.

Nogales, Mexico’s Valdez (28-0, 22KOs) moved up in weight last November, climbing off of the canvas to stop Adam Lopez in seven rounds. The win was to have set up a mouthwatering clash with countryman and reigning 130-pound titlist Miguel Berchelt (38-1, 34KOs). The ongoing coronavirus pandemic stalled those plans, with both boxers instead given separate ESPN headliners behind closed doors.

Berchelt appeared on the June 27 edition of the series, one of two shows to have aired on a Saturday night and live from Mexico City. The event overall averaged 416,000 viewers and peaking at 793,000 at the start of the telecast, though both figures heavily skewed by a strong lead-in from a UFC Fight Night card.

By the time Berchelt made his way to the ring, viewership dramatically trailed off. His win over Eleazer Valenzuela averaged 349,000 viewers, peaking at 381,000.

The latest installment lands well above the overall series’ average of 337,333 viewers among the 15 total telecasts.