By: Hans Themistode
Miguel Berchelt had a great view of the 130-pound landscape. With the Mexican star sitting comfortably on top of a super feathered mountain, he could see his opponents coming from a mile away.
Berchelt was visibly flustered as he watched James Herring win the 130-pound world title. He also appears unaffected by the appearance of Shakur Stevenson. Regardless of who pursued Berchelt’s division, he believed the outcome would be the same. Meaning, at some point, it would all fall behind his fierce knockdown power.
Despite being seen as the man to beat, Oscar Valdez, the 126-pound ex-footballer, has become fixed on Berchelt’s throne. But while Valdez is respected and well-established as a featherweight, his 130-pound performances are far from appealing.
As he struggled to get his feet wet in the newly formed division, Valdez made a lackluster effort in his featherweight super debut against Jayson Velez. So it’s no surprise that most of the boxing world gives Valdez little or no chance to win against the longtime champion. But as Berchelt confidently walked past the fanless MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, in February 2021, he smiled from ear to ear, believable his confrontation with Valdez will finish the way most of his competitions usually do, with his hand held high. and his opponent gasped, convulsing on the canvas.
What happens, however, is almost as much a one-sided defeat as you’ve ever witnessed. Valdez gets strong, boxing well on the outside and constantly tagging his man. In the fourth round, things really started to fall apart for Berchelt when Valdez sent him crashing to the deck. Since then, Berchelt has been repainted many times until he finally comes out of his misery in season ten.
During the round, just moments before Berchelt’s sudden collapse, Valdez took a step back before firing a shot with his left hand. After the strike connected, Berchelt’s body immediately went limp and before he fell and hit his head, Valdez happily ran around the ring, knowing that their competition was officially over.
The loss for Berchelt is painful but he believes he needs it. With the Mexican knockout moving into the 130-pound category and trying to make his mark as a 135-pound athlete, he exudes confidence, excitement, and the best form of his life. his life when he entered the match against Jeremia Nakathila over the weekend.
Nothing appeared out of the ordinary. Berchelt still sported his signature grin during their brainstorming ceremony, as he flexed and flaunted his physique. However, while Berchelt looks the same physically, Valdez seems to have changed him for the good.
The normally aggressive, front-footed boxer was absent. Instead, he was replaced by a more defensive and cautious slugger. A person who refuses to let go, even when he is in range. Nakathila didn’t complain. He stepped forward, pressed Berchelt to the ropes, and lamented the former champion’s defenselessness for six grueling rounds until forced to yield to Nakathila as the superior.
Although surprising, we have seen cases of Berchelt scattered throughout boxing history. From Mike Tyson becoming a bit shy after his shock loss at the hands of James “Buster” Douglas in 1990, to Adrian Broner admitting that the physically taxing bout against Marcos Maidana cost him more than just the achievement. his perfection.
Berchelt’s case is no different. Winning and losing both come to the sport of boxing. However, not all of them are the same. From now on until Berchelt decides to hang up his gloves for good, he will provide his fans with a false sense of security. He’ll bang the heavy bag in training, be boldly flexible in the face of his competition, and proudly announce that he’ll win the world title at 135 pounds.
But, despite his courage and the conjecture that he would continue to spew, Berchelt doesn’t seem to be the warrior he once was. What seemed like a trivial defeat at the hands of Valdez, is showing signs of more than that. No, it’s not just another tally in Berchelt’s losing column, it could be the end of the old roster as we know it.
