Oscar Valdez Very Motivated To Impress, Feeling No Pressure

By Francisco Salazar

If fighters represent stock to be invested in, Oscar Valdez is someone to invest in for the long haul.

Valdez has paid out dividends early on in his career with impressive wins over very modest opposition.

Not only can the fighter from Nogales, Sonora, Mexico demonstrate he can punch by his high knockout ratio, but he could also box as well.

Former world titleholder Evgeny Gradovich stands in the way Saturday night between possible big money fights on major platforms, including a likely world title bout later this year.

The crossroads bout between Valdez and Gradovich will take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev. The 10 round bout will precede the welterweight clash between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley and will air live on HBO Pay Per View, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT.

Early on in his career, Valdez ran through the motions of defeating veteran fighters he was supposed to defeat.

Then came the fight against Ruben Tamayo, a tall southpaw with a significant reach who gave Valdez problems before the former Mexican Olympian came away with a decision win over 10 rounds.

It was not until the fight against Chris Avalos on September 26 did Valdez score his best win as a pro. Valdez demonstrated his impressive array of boxing skill and punching power before stopping Avalos in round five.

In his last bout on December 12, Valdez (18-0, 16 KOs) knocked out Ernie Sanchez in the third round.

Now he faces Gradovich, who not only held a world title belt, but has an aggressive boxer-puncher style that may give Valdez problems.

"He's a pressure type of fighter who throws a hundred punches a round," Valdez told BoxingScene.com in an interview over the phone this week. "We're very well-prepared for this fight. I believe the hard work I put in the gym will make me have my hand raised after the fight."

"The different styles I faced in the amateurs have helped me a lot. I've faced many different styles from all over the world. I've taken advantage of the different styles I've seen and have really learned a lot working with trainer Manny Robles."

Valdez could not have things go more his way. He is promoted by Top Rank, which has long had the reputation of being the best at handling young fighters toward contender status.

He is managed by Frank Espinoza.

Valdez also has the appeal from Mexican-American fight fans and those that follow the sport in Mexico. His clean-cut image, along with being bilingual in English and Spanish, could make him a bonafide crossover star with casual fans of boxing as well.

Which may be why Top Rank has him (along with Gilberto Ramirez and Jose Ramirez) on a fight card that is aptly called 'No Trump Card,' a jab at Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Whether or not the fight has political overturns, Valdez is on a major pay-pre-view card in Las Vegas, a platform where careers could skyrocket given the impressive performance in the ring.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to fight on this card," said Valdez, who grew up in Tucson, Ariz. "There is no pressure for me. I'm more motivated to fight on these cards than the smaller shows. I love the bigger crowds. That's better for me."

An impressive win against a tough foe in Gradovich could land more lucrative fights for Valdez. Espinoza is hoping Valdez could land an opportunity for a world title belt in his next fight or later in 2016, but that will remain to be seen.

Valdez is only 25, where he may be two-four years away from the prime of his career. He may continue to fight as a featherweight and make more noise as a junior welterweight in the next year or two.

For now, Gradovich is on Valdez's mind.

"I'm taking this day by day. I'm enjoying fight week."

"I'm very motivated and ready to put on a good show (on Saturday)."

Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene.com since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (CA) Star newspaper, RingTV, and Knockout Nation. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing