At the age of 33, and with two losses in his previous three fights, Mexican boxer Oscar Valdez is facing a tough opponent handpicked by Top Rank’s expert matchmakers.
Valdez is desperate for a win and needs to impress against a recognizable opponent. Enter Australia’s Liam Wilson, a skilled fighter from Queensland who nearly pulled off a huge upset against Emanuel Navarrete 14 months ago.
Wilson, 28, showed his potential by dropping Navarrete heavily in the fourth round and continued to have success throughout the fight. His right hand is a dangerous weapon to watch out for. Despite his efforts, Navarrete’s experience and body punching proved too much for Wilson.
This memorable fight against Navarrete took place at the Glendale Desert Diamond Arena, where Valdez will face Wilson in a 12-round super-featherweight bout on Friday night.
Wilson has since won two 10-round fights in Australia against lesser opponents, while Valdez is coming off a loss to Navarrete. Valdez’s confidence may have taken a hit after being outclassed by Shakur Stevenson in a previous fight. Wilson’s aggressive style could be just what Valdez needs to get back on track.
In the co-main event, Seniesa Estrada will defend her WBA and WBC belts against Yokasta Valle, who holds the IBF and WBO titles. Valle has improved significantly since her earlier losses and will provide a tough challenge for Estrada, who will be the favorite going into the fight.