Las Vegas, NV February 20, 2021- After months of being doubted by pundits Oscar Valdez (28-0 22KO’s) knocked out Miguel Berchelt (37-1 33KO’s) to become the new WBC Super Featherweight Champion. Valdez used speed and power with angles to drop Berchelt in the fourth, ninth, and finally for good in the 10th round to become the new WBC champion at 130 pounds. The underdog for the first time in his career, Valdez was doubted by the masses including his childhood idol, Mexican boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez.
“I have a list of all the people that doubted me. My idols doubted me. I have a message for everybody out there, don’t let anyone tell you can’t do something” said Valdez.
When asked who he would like to fight next he called out Shakur Stevenson, who was in attendance.
“I heard Shakur Stevenson called me out. Let’s do it. I just want to give the fans what they want.”
FLORES JR STOPS VELEZ IN SIX
In the co-main event, Stockton’s own Gabriel Flores (19-0 6KO’s) knocked out Jason Velez (29-2-1 21KO’s) in the sixth round. Flores and Velez went back and forth throughout the fight until Flores landed a left hook to Velez’s temple that dropped him. After Velez beat the count, Flores jumped on him and landed another left hook that put Velez out for good. Flores becomes the second person to ever stop Velez behind Oscar Valdez who did it in 10 rounds.
FALCAO GETS TKO VICTORY
Brazilian fighter Esquiva Falcao (27-0 19KO’s) stopped Russian fighter Artur Akavov (20-3 9KO’s) in three rounds. Akavov started strong in the first round landing heavy combinations. Falcao picked up the pace and overwhelmed Akavov and landed a punch that seemed to break the Russian’s nose. Akavov’s corner stopped the fight before the beginning of the fourth round giving Falcao his 20th KO victory.
RODRIGUEZ GOES THE DISTANCE FOR THE FIRST TIME
Elvis Rodriguez (10-0-1 10KO’s) goes the distance for the first time in his career defeating Luis Alberto Veron (18-2-2 9KO’s) by unanimous decision. Rodriguez was the aggressor throughout the fight and connected a right hook upstairs that stumbled Veron at the end of round four. Rodriguez kept pressuring but was unable to finish Veron as the fight went to the score cards where two judges core the cards 79-73 and the third judge scored it 78-74 in favor of Rodriguez.
ZAYAS BEATS MARTIN BY U.D
Puerto Rican Xander Zayas (6-0 5KO’s) earns his seventh victory defeating James Martin (6-1) by unanimous decision. Zayas utilized his jab and worked the body to keep Martin at bay. All three judges scored the fight 60-54 in favor for the Puerto Rican prospect.
MARTINEZ GETS FIRST KO WIN
Javier Martinez (2-0) stops Billy Wagner (3-1 1KO’s) in less than two minutes of the first round. Martinez landed heavy over hand rights that wobbled Wagner who could not recover, forcing the referee to waive the fight in 1:51 seconds giving Martinez the TKO victory.
ROSARIO’S BODY SHOT STOPS VILLANUEVA
Puerto Rican prospect Omar Rosario (2-0) defeated Uriel Villanueva (1-0) by KO. Rosario landed a perfect left hook to the body that dropped Villanueva who got up and beat the count. Seconds later, Rosario used the same left hook to the body to floor Villanueva for good and ending the fight in the second round.
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