By Doug Fischer

News of Edwin Valero receiving a license to box in Texas – the first U.S. jurisdiction to clear the undefeated 130-pound title holder to fight since he was medically suspended by the New York State Athletic Commission in January of 2004 – has spread like wildfire throughout the boxing world, leading to much speculation among fight fans as to when and who he will fight in the Lone Star State, and who will promote the Venezuelan KO Artist’s first bout in America since 2003.

Valero’s first order of business is to take care of his mandatory challenger, Argentina’s Israel Perez (the boxer who eliminated the hard-punching southpaw from competing in the 2000 Olympic Games), on June 12th in Tokyo. If Valero is successful against Perez, a spokesperson from his Japan-based promoter Teiken Promotions says he will venture to the U.S. as a free agent.

Valero (23-0, with 23 KOs) currently has no promotional agreement with any U.S.-based promoter, according to Teiken Promotions. However, the world record holder for the most consecutive first-round KOs at the start one’s career (18) is looking for a major fight when he makes his Texas debut and thus Teiken Promotions is looking to partner up with a U.S. promotional company that can deliver Valero the most beneficial agreement in terms of name opponents, U.S. television, and financial compensation.