Oscar Valdez experienced the highest high and lowest low of his career within 14 months.
The former two-division titleholder from Mexico became a pound-for-pound candidate when he knocked out Miguel Berchelt in 10 rounds in February 2021. In April of the following year, after a victory over Robson Conceicao, he was outclassed by Shakur Stevenson en route to losing a one-sided decision.
Which way will he go now?
We’ll find out Saturday, when the 32-year-old boxer-puncher challenges 130-pound titleholder Emanuel Navarrete at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona (ESPN, ESPN+).
If Valdez wins, he’s back in business, back to being one of the most important fighters in the world. If he loses for the second time in three fights, he could be relegated to the dreaded gatekeeper status.
He’s looking forward to the challenge.
“I’m excited, it’s getting close,” he said recently. “It’s one of the most important fights of my career because it means everything for me to come back and win that title.
“I feel blessed to have this opportunity, and I’m taking advantage of it every single day so that I can accomplish my dream.”
Navarrete (37-1, 31 KOs) is a significant obstacle.
Valdez’s fellow Mexican is a relentless volume puncher who throws his shots from a variety of angles and to all legal targets, which makes him a handful for any opponent.
A quick glance at his record makes that obvious. He hasn’t lost since he was outpointed in a four-rounder in his sixth fight, more than a decade ago. And the two-division champion is 11-0 in world title fights, evidence of his effectiveness.
Valdez is aware of Navarrete’s strengths and has prepared accordingly.
“We all know that Navarrete has an awkward style,” he said. “We might not have the perfect sparring that can emulate his style. But we try to imitate him in the mitt work and strategy. He’s not your typical fighter that throws straight shots.”
Another thing about Navarrete: His fights are generally entertaining because of his aggressive style. This one should be no exception.
Hall of Fame rivals Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales have been invited to attend the event on Saturday, a marketing move that emphasizes the all-Mexican matchup. Perhaps the magic of their epic three-fight series will rub off on their successors.
“I always tell people that I grew up during the era of Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera,” Valdez said. “Those two fighters inspired me to be the fighter that I am today. So to leave something similar in history would mean the world to me.”
“I’m more motivated for this fight than any other fight I’ve been in. People are excited about this fight. Everywhere I go, I get the same question: ‘When are you going to fight Vaquero?’ And that’s because we all know that a war is coming.”
A war that is pivotal to Valdez’s career.
