THE RESULT: Oscar Valdez revives his chances of becoming a two-time world super-featherweight champion by defeating Liam Wilson at 2.48 in round seven of their fight at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
KEY MOMENTS: Valdez displayed his power and precision in his punches, dominating Wilson with body shots and swift hand movements. Wilson struggled in round two with a bloody nose, and despite Valdez getting a cut above his left eye in the seventh round, he managed to secure the victory. The pivotal factor throughout the fight was Valdez’s left hook, which consistently punished Wilson and ultimately led to the fight being stopped.
RECORDS: Oscar Valdez improves to a record of 32-2 (24 KOs), while Liam Wilson suffers his third defeat, with a record of 13-3 (7 KOs).
TALKING POINT: Tonight was crucial for Valdez’s future in boxing, especially after his previous loss to Emanuel Navarrete. Losing to Wilson, who Navarrete had also defeated, would have been a significant setback for Valdez.
QUOTABLE: “It crossed my mind [I was finished],” Valdez shared with ESPN’s Mark Kriegel after his victory. “I want to set an example in boxing. You may face defeat, but it’s important to come back stronger.” Valdez also expressed his satisfaction with the win, stating, “It’s gotta be up there. It means a lot. I proved a lot of people wrong again.”
Valdez also encouraged Wilson to persevere in the sport, despite his loss. The two fighters shared a moment of respect after the fight, with Valdez acknowledging Wilson’s talent and determination.
Kriegel also spoke to Liam Wilson about the fight, with Wilson reflecting on his performance and expressing his determination to learn and improve for future bouts.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Valdez’s victory earned him the WBO Interim belt at 130lbs, positioning him for a potential title shot. With Navarrete scheduled to fight at lightweight, Valdez may have the opportunity to be elevated to full champion status, setting the stage for a potential unification bout with WBC titlist O’Shaquie Foster.