DeMarco Next Victim for Valero
December 26th, 2009
By Ted Sares: “El Inca” is an equal opportunity destroyer having dispatched Colombians, Americans, Panamanians, Argentineans, Mexicans, Armenians, Japanese, and even Venezuelans. And whether he fights in his adopted base of Japan or his native Venezuela (or somewhere in between), he brings incredible excitement into the ring, and it’s as much about his vulnerabilities as it is his skills. The way he used to come in throwing wide and looping punches from different angles just begged for a fast and straight puncher to take him out and most aficionados knew it. Indeed, he closely resembled his friend Daniel Ponce de Leon who threw wide (and wild), albeit powerful, punches. However, Daniel’s style was finally solved by Juan Manuel Lopez who moved straight in between the Mexican’s wild punches and waxed him in the first round.
DeMarco
He will meet Antonio DeMarco (23-1-1) on February 2, 2010 in Mexico with his WBC lightweight title on the line. While Tony will have the height and reach advantage in this fight, it will take more than that to hold off “El Inca’s old school relentless pressure backed by deceptively superb conditioning which gives him a distinct edge in stamina in his fights. I say deceptively because he fights with his mouth somewhat open giving the false impression he might be tiring, but Valero reportedly is somewhat of a legend in the Los Angels gyms because of his brutal training routines.
DeMarco, who has a fine jab, good skills, late power and is a superb closer, is no pushover and the way he savaged “Kid Diamond” earlier this year was impressive as was his decisive KO of Anges Adjaho in July. And his KO percentage of 68 is impressive but does no begin to compare with Valero’s 100%.
Valero is more experienced, has fought against a better level of opposition, has more power, and may be a different fighter than Tony’s camp expects or has prepared for. While there is a lot of hype associated with his rise, he remains an old school type once he comes sauntering down the aisle and enters the ring with full focus. He is all business as he prepares to do battle. Of course, there are the intangibles associated to his personal life, but these have not impacted his boxing so far.
The Prediction
The slow starting DeMarco (who bears a slight resemblance to Margarito once he has his man hurt), will be caught by the fast starting Valero and hurt early and often until he no longer can take the onslaught and retires on his stool sometime in the mid rounds. Valero must be on the lookout for DeMarco’s head because Tony has been know to be reckless with that part of his body. On the other hand, “El Inca” has not been shy about using his head as well, but more in retaliation than as a preeminent weapon.
Afterwards
Assuming he dispatches DeMarco, “El Inca”will have some great paydays looming including possible fights with Michael Katsidis, the tall and dangerous Ali Funeka and maybe a somewhat shot Juan Diaz at a lower weight. Of course, moving up to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr and/or Manny Pacquiao may not be the wisest way to remain unbeaten.
Visit the author’s website at www.tedsares.com
Tags: 35 Responses to “DeMarco Next Victim for Valero”
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Heh. Great to see you, here-in-prov!
I’m not trying to suggest that I think DeMarco will be a test for Valero. I think he’s pretty much in line with the people Valero has already fought and, all due respect to the couple of die-hard DeMarco fans who’ve posted on the thread, I think this is going to be another relatively easy pancake(to mix sports metaphors… for anyone who doesn’t follow gridiron football, and any non-Americans reading, a pancake is when an offensive player puts a defender on his ass)for Valero. DeMarco may surprise us, but I don’t think so.
What I /was/ saying is that world-class 130 lber and lightweight contenders may be very dangerous for Valero indeed. I don’t think DeMarco is on that level yet, and Valero should continue to knock out anyone who isn’t a top-ten world class fighter. I’m just not ready to jump on his bandwagon until he does the same thing he’s been doing to tomato cans and top-twenty/top-thirty types to a top-ten/top-twelve level guy.
Never seen Valero fight, so I know only what I’ve read and heard. His record would make me agree with Boxing Geek that he is somewhat suspect–or at least one can’t be sure of him. His brain injury might make him a disaster waiting to happen. I’ve seen DeMarco fight and like him; there is a good chance, though, that this match comes a little early for him. I’m looking forward to the fight. At least I have an idea of what DeMarco represents and that = a measure for Valero.
Yeah, he IS an old school type of guy come to think of it.
I likre Valaero. He comes to fight and is an all-out incming pressure fighter.
And Katsidis was the guy who gave some brain injuries to Czar Amonstat in their brawl. A fight with the Greek by way of OZ would be a pier six from the get go and one I would pay to see.
‘Geek, I agree that Funeka would give him fits. Katsdid would be a bloody war — a blood bath. Both guys like to brawl.’
I agree, Ted, all things being equal.
Things are not equal, though, because of the potential to aggravate an existing brain injury inherent in a natural 122 lber being whacked by a natural lightweight who can hit.
Katsidis-Valero could be the greatest fight ever.
It also runs a frightening risk of being the next go-round of Griffith-Paret or Mancini-Kim. I fully support Valero’s right to take the risks he chooses, but I think it important that fight fans and boxing writers remember to factor those risks into their perspective on Valero. Especially as he has stepped up in weight.
It’s also important to remember that, for a two-division titlist, he’s tremendously protected. Katsidis would be the best opponent he’s ever faced. Considering that Katsidis is a flawed bar-room brawler who has made it to the top ten on sheer toughness, this raises interesting questions about Valero.
I disagree with the guy who said DeMarco will beat Valero, I think that’s very unlikely. Yet, until he proves otherwise, Valero is another potential alphabet-star/world-class-bust.
Blood bath of epic proportions.
Valero Vs Katsidis would be a War. It’s gotta happen next year.
Tom D, good to see you, bro.
Keep up the good work Ted, This site or any other are lucky to have Ya ! Valero sounds like a force to be reckoned with I haven’t really paid a whole lot of attention to him, But it sounds like it’s just about time.
And DeMarco aint the next victim hes gona blitz Valero within 8 rounds.
DeMarco is 23 and he never uses his age as an excuse like the chiken Khan who would never fight Valero,DeMarco called out Valero.
pugknows, THAT’S MIGHTY NICE OF YOU TO SAY. I’m just happy to be writing boxing articles.
Well, ES. That brain injury has kept hiim out except for Texas. Still, he can make some money if he fights in Japan or maybe even in Europe if they will let him fight. When he fights in Venzuela, it’s big, very BIG!
Wow, this site now has Ted Sares writing for it. That’s quite a coup.
It is a true shame that we cannot get Valero to fight in the likes of Vegas etc. Valero has been matched up canny though. Another fine article churned out by Sares.
Geek, I agree that Funeka would give him fits. Katsdid would be a bloody war — a blood bath. Both guys like to brawl.
Hey, Harry. I have my third book ready for the publisher. I’ll take your great suggestion under condisderation, though. Yo da man.
Hello Ted,
Another great article, I do hope you plan to publish an anthology. I wonder have you considered doing an audio book, if you are interested and do not wish to do the voice work yourself I have a friend to whom I can refer your work.
As to Edwin Valero, I agree he is much improved as a boxer, however somewhere in the back of my mind looms the visage of Rocky Graziano…
Happy New Year,
Harry
THIS
God to see some of my mates on tis one.
I’ve always been a tiny bit skeptical of Valero on a few levels.
His power is very impressive and I don’t want to undercut that. His level of opposition, however, is not as high as it should be when one uses the words ‘two division titlist.’ While his punching talents are undeniable, he’s fought products of the WBA ranking system for most of his career and, prior to doing so, was very protected as a prospect. He’s never faced another undefeated fighter, never faced a fighter ranked as a world-class contender by any independent media.
He’s also suffered a cerebral hematoma in a motorcycle accident. While I agree with writers like William Dettloff that he has every right to fight if he can pass current medical examinations, there is a reason doctors consider fighters who have suffered brain injuries in the past at risk for future brain injuries. There is every possibility a good puncher with a world-class skill set would make the past brain injury an issue in a grueling fight. So this remains a question mark.
I don’t think it likely that Antonio DeMarco will upset Valero. I do think Valero may be in trouble if he does fight Michael Katsidis or Ali Funeka, both naturally bigger men and the former a significant puncher.
VALERO i been watching this guy for years very vunrable but wow exciting
Love this fight Ted, I agree, DeMarco looked the business against Kid Diamond, a tough nut for sure but he does take a few rounds to warm up. If Valero jumps on him he could end things quick-sharpish. You can’t sleep on Valero, like you say, even with that 100% KO record he’s still a work in progress and hungry as hell. Great fight while it lasts. Valero KO5.
Ted Sares-It was nice to read an article about boxing that was written by someone that knows boxing. I hope that you had a nice Christmas.
I agree with the author on this one
Made an error. Sorry. Great board. Need to rest for my workouts.
He could have more parts of his skull removed if he don’t block Valeros’ punches.
I agree. DeMarco is not quite ready. He’s also a little wide a little slow and doesn’t fight tall. But he’s got pretty good power and because of that you never know. It should be exciting while it lasts.
Everyone likes to blast Valero, but he just keeps on winning. DeMarco is damn good, but he is in for a tough night here. Look for headbutts and blood.
Tony has to Use his Jab and he will win! Valero Has scar tissue in both his eyes.. also if the jab hits Valero in the forhead it will hurt him cause Valero had a small part of his skull removed!
Valero, hits hard. Should be a good scrap.
Busting up Hector Velazquez who isn’t great at his best weight isn’t something to write home about. I’ll give credit to Valero for surviving the head butts but he’s still looks as crude as ever. How he fares against DeMarco will tell us how good he really is. I’m really looking forward to it
I am keeping an eye with this boxer..hope he stays healthy and can dispatch top level boxers like Bradley, mayweather and pacquio if he can.good luck to you valero
I am keeping my eye on this guy, 26 fights 26 KOs wow thats very impressive! Another gifted boxer on the horizon?