Edwin Valero: Young Pacquiao or Mini Mayorga?
March 21st, 2010
By Ryan Dunn: With 27 knockouts in 27 wins and 0 defeats, Edwin Valero is nothing if not one of the most exciting young prospects in boxing today. His first 18 fights were first round knockouts, and he is growing with every fight. What began as a relentless, two-fisted attack has evolved into a relentless, two-fisted attack with some improved defense and an improving jab. So what to make of this cultish figure?
And now Valero’s looking to move from lightweight up to 140 to fight Lamont Peterson, in what would clearly be his biggest test to date. Valero left behind his belt to move up to Jr. Welterweight, and is currently considered by the WBC to be a “champion in recess” (which basically means he can come back down to 135 for an immediate match with whomever holds the title at that time). Lamont Peterson, while a technically sound boxer, recently lost a bravely fought, but lop-sided decision to Timothy Bradley, and doesn’t have all that deep a resumé himself (do we count Willy Blain and Lanardo Tyner?).
But there is something slowing this bout down, and it has nothing to do with the promoters or the fighters. It has to do with Edwin Valero’s brain. Several years ago, Valero was in a motorcycle accident, and suffered some minor damage. He was diagnosed with a blood clot in his brain which has prevented him from receiving a license in all states he has applied in except for Texas (where he knocked Antonio Pitalua out in 2 rounds). After the fight, Texas suspended his license again, leaving him knocking on USA’s door with nobody to answer.
But Top Rank’s Bob Arum, who has a “firm contract” with Valero, is working on ways to get his fighter into the states for the fight with Peterson. “Valero has to get his U.S. Visa and get into this country,” Arum said, “which I believe is happening. And then, we have to figure out where to put the fight, because the only state where Valero is licensed now is Texas.” We’ll see what happens with Nevada in particular, who has changed the rules to allow a fighter with a previously negative MRI to re-apply if his MRI comes back clear.
Regardless of his lack of experience with top fighters, many are already saying Valero is the second coming of Manny Pacquiao, and that he might be just the guy to put Manny on the canvas. There’s no question these two brawlers have much in common. Both love to trade, both leave themselves open for sharp counter shots, and both have managed to amass a resumé of impressive knockouts on their way up the ladder. Their highlight reels will be on constant loop in Boxing’s Hall of Fame long after they are both dead and gone.
In all the speculation about Valero, I see another fighter who he reminds me of, and that is Ricardo Mayorga. Like Mayorga, Valero will unload the kitchen sink with wide, looping shots from both hands. Where Pacquiao was a one-fisted power puncher through his pre-Roach days, Valero and Mayorga both celebrate natural strength with both hands. Mayorga could knock anyone down if given the opportunities, but showed major flaws when going toe-to-toe with smart boxers like De La Hoya, Trinidad, and Mosley, but also proved that he could overwhelm a natural boxer like Vernon Forrest. Some boxers don’t do well when overwhelmed with punches, but a guy like Mayweather can keep his cool and weather the storm with razor-sharp counter shots.
But can Valero contend with boxing’s elite? Can he knockout a Timothy Bradley, or an Andre Berto? Can he outpoint a Shane Mosley, or a Miguel Cotto? The questions are out there, and Valero’s poised to answer them all. He’s hungry. He thinks he’s ready to enter the ring with Pacquiao right now, but it would be in his best interest to test his strength at 140 first, and get a couple fights under his belt before moving up and knocking on the P4P King’s door.
So, will Valero prove similar in strength and deficiency to Mayorga? Or does he have the makings of a new-and-improved Pacquiao? Or is he a creature all unto himself, looking to carve out his own name in boxing’s book of legend? Time will definitely tell, and there is no question Valero’s star, no matter how scarred, is on the rise.
Tags: 66 Responses to “Edwin Valero: Young Pacquiao or Mini Mayorga?”
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a lot of speculation that valero may fight pacquiao when he returns in 8 months, but at 147 valero has no chance.
valero might be able to bang, but pacquiao will always connect first in exchanges which would be impact full blows…
bleacherreport.com/articles/369050-manny-pacquiao-could-potentially-face-edwin-valero-in-his-next-fight
Say wut y’all want but they both leave each other open 4 counters but I think PAC-MAN might be on sum stuff so Valero will tear every 1 a new one n he ain’t scared all his fights r won by knock-outs not even manny could do that so I puts my money on Valero
pacman would destroy valero. this guy is wide open and has no defense it would not take long and he be dropped like ricky hatton
Pacman would destroy Valero. This guy is so open that it wont take long till he is dropped like ricky hatton
Valero should be Pacquiao’s next fight. It would be a great action fight. Pacquiao would win. If Valero is smart he will test himself at 140 lbs first, I’m just worried he would lose before Pacquiao gets to him. So I say make the fight now. I doubt Mayweather or Mosely will be available this year, so let Pacquiao fight Valero, then Mayweather or Mosely after they finish their business and possible rematch.
Didn’t Bradley knock Peterson down?? If he did what honest chance has he got against valero? It’s should be maidana-valero for the WBA interim. What a fight! Which will then lead to valero khan, if valero won
A pacquiao-valero fight will not happen anymore. Pacquiao has one more fight left. IF he can convince his mother.
Valero could be 28-10 and I still want to see everyone of his fights. This guy brings it! Does he leave himself open and take alot of risks? Hell ya – that’s why I like watching him fight. You can have all of the Mayweather PPV’s you want, for me I’m going to spend my time and money watching guys like Pacquiao and Valero. I’m sick of 12 round ‘safe’ fighter decisions and guys not willing to take chances and trade punches. It’s no wonder why MMA has a larger following nowadays than boxing. My boxing calendar is filled with dates of fighters like Darchynian, Valero, Pacquiao, Mosley, Martinez, Andrade – guys that like to fight.
talk, talk, talk, all of you can do is just talk. Valero is like this, Valero is like that, then if he is not good why avoiding him, if he is not good why he keep on knocking out every opponent he face. If he is not that good why he keep an impressive record of 18 knock out in the first round. I ask the same question to a 2nd grader and this young boy ask the same question.Know who is hidding the one who avoid the fight or the one who want to fight.
@Sugar Ray
Nope,I’m an American.I watched his last fight and trust me he’s a blood and guts fighter.Blood clot or not,profuse bleeding from the forehead or not,he fights.He could move,he could block,he could counter,and he dominated that poor kid who looked afraid to pick his oppurtunities when they showed up.But i’m half Filipino and I’ve seen firsthand how political BS can sway people’s emotions.It doesn’t apply to all Americans but it’s there,just as easily as Mayweather tried to turn his being an American into a request for support when he was hyping the potential Pacquiao fight back in december(if i’m not mistaken.Maybe it was for the JMM fight).Americans love to see a villain and a non-villain at the least,and Hugo Chavez is a villain in our eyes.That’s just how it is and it will reflect onto him.
the truth is taht Valero vs Pacman would be far far far better to watch than Pacman vs Mayweather
no doubt for me
are u?
valero who?got brain damaged and knock out guys in 1st rds. who had no brains at all
Young prospect? Isnt he about 28… not really young is it?
Nice article. The true test will be if he can convincingly get past Lamont Peterson. If he does, I say he tests himself against Bradley. Moving up in weight and maintaining speed and power has been overlooked as being easy, mainly due to Pacquiao. But it clearly isn’t. If the guy can pack on lbs and keep his skills, I’d like to see him face top contenders.
Another excellent article, Ryan. Love it.
manny would destroy valero in less than 6
@King of the Hill
I don’t know the full facts, but Bob Arum has indicated that an MRI now would come up clean, and that it is the presence of the clot in PREVIOUS MRI’s that has kept Nevada and many other states from clearing his license.
If he still has a clot and it’s still impairing to his physical well-being, then I agree with you he shouldn’t be fighting, but I’m not sure that is still the case. I think it’s an issue with the guy’s medical HISTORY.
…ryan
28 wins by knockout in 27 fights?, wow
That little clot in the brain writer talks about is anything but minor. Especially if his profession involves getting hit to the face. I don’t want to see this guy have a seizure in the middle of a fight if ever he is up against an elite fighter that possess a knockout power like Pacquiao..
Valero posses talent but I don’t see him lasting long in this sport, if his physical health continues to be compromised.
Pac has proven himself against the likes of Barerra, Morales, Marquez, Cotto and Clottley. Valero, although his record is very good, has not proven himself, but looks like he will eventually have to as he builds himself up towards fighting Pac.
One thing I noticed in Pac vs Clottley is that they way Pac is winning reminds me of how Roy Jones and Tyson was winning when they were undefeated… their opponents gave up mentally in the ring (sometimes even before getting into the ring). What is needed is a welter with the determination and tenacity of Tarver/Douglas. Maybe Pac may meet his match… maybe not, let’s see.
@julia
it doesnt matter who fought who or who wouldnt last long with valero…what you have to understand and this needs to be imprinted in your brain is “STYLES MAKES FIGHTS” so just cause valero brutalised someone doesnt mean JMM wouldnt beat them?? a win is a win doesnt matter how it happens…Tyrone brunson beat valeros record of 1st round kos but he got found out and personally (although i like valero) should he move up to lww or ww he would get found wanting…
i apologise for using brunson as a example but its the only person (off hand)i know with the kos who has been exposed..
A part of me wants to see this guy fight.. A part of me says this guy shouldn’t be in the ring..
Valero sustained a head injury while riding his motorcycle without a helmet. He has been having the hardest time getting a boxing licensed cleared due to failure to pass his physical.. Yes they can find ways to clear him, but when he faces elite fighters that will give him hard blows to the head, it may just cost him everything in the long run…
@ The Rock, I dont think Manny had faced the kind of guys that Valero had faced out of the ring.
@ mandirigma, Valero’s natural weight is 145.
@ leftie, Vicente Mosquera was Ring Magazine’s number 4 super FW (just under Pac, Barrera and Morales and over Jmm) when Valero brutalized him.
@ Overrated, Edwin Valero’s last eight fights Opposition Record: 233-30-(10 draws) in 273 fights => 233/273 = 85 % win rate (Jmm = 50 wins/57 fights = 89%). Jmm first 10 opponents: 23 wins 38 loses. Actually, Márquez has only defeated Juan Diaz, Casamyor, Juarez and old Barrera) none of whom would have lasted too long with Valero, and that is what Barrera thinks. Mosquera and Pitalúa coud easily destroy Juárez and old Barrera, Even Hommo would have Chris Johnned Márquez easily too.
@ Gero, I dont see anyone capable of knocking out Mosquera, Pitalúa, Hommo and Demarco in a row at their weight range.
@ vinny, Lamont has no chance.
pacquiao will ko valero inside 4 rounds!he fought and defeated taxicab drivers!he can fight pacquiao if valero wants to retires early!
Valero hits harder than Margarito. It’s verifed on Youtube when they interview the Santacruz brothers
Boxrec.com does have Valero at 27-0, 27 KOs
Pacquiao vs. Valero Fights one of the great match… Both fighter are southpaw stance,hieght,Powerpuncher and nothing
to lose Attitude.I hope this Fights will be Happen.
If you want to know how good is Valero?
Ask Pacquiao sparrings because they are Valero sparrings too
you will be surprised!
to think that political bias will sway a boxing fan one way or the other about a particular fighter is a bit foolish in this day and age. in valero’s case it seems like whoever wrote that entry was biased himself and already on the defensive for whatever reason. i’m guessing you too r from venezuela and that was aimed at american boxing fans. at the risk of sounding defensive myself i will say this if we cared that much about his political stance then we would be on a different website. I’m only interested in what he does in the ring.
mayorga for sure. he is 1/8th of PACMAN.
Do you want to know more about valero strenght?
Ask Pacman sparrings because they are from the same group and friends and they are Valero sparrings too.
You will be surprised!
Ryan ur the only respectable writer on these boards, i love ur articles.
28 knock outs not 27
I have a conditional liking for Valero but he also reminds me of an undefeated Mexican fighter with the name of Solis. He came swinging at Pacquiao but came short.
Then again Valero was in the news about domestic violence, it is now wait and see. We love a humble but capable person. We don’t want to see another Mike Tyson. People jumped and down when he came tumbling down. The true measure of greatness of a man is his capability to rise from the depths and if he fails, he drives harder to rise up again.
Like it or not,boxing fans will feel political or biased or whatever for some reason.To American Fans,they’ll take one look at that Venezualan flag and when they see Hugo Chavez on that man’s chest,they’ll more than likely turn off the interest to him,no matter how good he becomes.He’ll more than likely be booed because of it.
b0xing is dead because 0f maywatever,when pac retires,b0xing is c0mpletely dead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He’s beat 26 bums and 1 second tier fighter woo hoo.
i’ll cast my vote as more of a mini-Mayorga, after reading about valero he seems to be the bad-boy type, an image which mayorga almost prided himself on w/ the smoking, trash talk, recklessness in the ring etc. although entertaining i’m generally not a fan of fighters like that mostly because that “star” of theirs tends to fizzle out quickly. with a dui preventing his visa and motorcycle accident resulting in brain damage to boot how long will this kid last when he starts making serious prize money.
i always enjoy articles from ryan dunn but to say that Valero is to carry boxing after pac is a bit premature. so many things that have to happen before he can even be considered. for starters he needs a visa cause you need exposure in the US to be a star and he needs to be medically cleared for licensing. after all that we haven’t gotten to improving his caliber of opponent not to mention style and technique. lots to prove for valero and r u still young @ 28? seems more like a now or never situation for valero and arum. i too would like to see the fight between pac/valero but i don’t think it’ll happen. pac has bigger fish to fry and surely he’s going to take bigger paydays @ this point.
Forget Valero… Floyd’s the greatest!
Valero is untested. Arum sold clottey to the pac fans and they ate it up, while the rest of the boxing world knew how one sided it will be. Now he is trying to do the same with valero who hasent been in the ring with anyone of note yet.Please Pac fans dont think this is a challenging match up for Manny. Boxing fans want to see Pac matched up with either Floyd/Mosley/Bradley or Alexander. Anything less would be another one-sided affair. If Pac keeps on fighting this calibre of fighters he will surely lose his P4P no.1 to Floyd
he is a bum…lol…he can punch for sure…
nice article Ryan
Olympic Style Drug Testing is a joke conducted by USAWADA. I’ve never been caught for a longer period of time until I confessed. People who believe that it’s the best way of catching cheaters are fooled by Tygart. Tygart is a scam bug. You can take it from me.
Valero is a great ko boxer but manny pacquiao one of the greats like Ali ray leonard
28 y/o still didn’t face any worthy challenger. Pac at 19yo KO’ed Sasakul, and Sasakul is way better than any fighter on valero’s record. why fight a demarco? why not sotto or guzman? If you want to fight the best atleast prove urself against the other top fighters in the division.
at any given day a extreme talent figther will beat pure skill fighter. That what trainer and manager are looking for a fighter extreme talent then they teach them skills. skillful fighter without any talent ends up losing more than winning.
another great article but i admit i havent heard much of Valero til this …next 10years of boxing looks bright.
ps. Ryan keep on writing /no1
Cheers!
i really wanna see pac and valero slug it out. But that concussion is life threatening. i’m very impressed with his record and i respect his willingness to fight while risking a coma. He deserves to fight other big name boxers.
I’m not at all convinced by him; well, not to the point others seem to be. Questionable opponents, easy to hit, prone to cuts – all things I associate with Valero. I think he’ll fall short at the top level.
he seems like a jokenow,but whoe else is walking around with his power?Right now obviously a mayweather could pick him off but with the right trainer this kid will be famous!
Valero needs more practice to face PACMAN.. In other words, Needs more rice to eat..
Valero needs more practice to face PACMAN.. Needs more rice to eat..
This Valero boy needs to be given what he deserve and that is to fight in the big time stages and venues in the states
Very soon Pac might left boxing, someone has to step up and this Valero boy will keep the boxing torch burning bright or even brighter.
This guy has the needed risk-taking-intensity that keeps our eyes wide open. He will be the future cashcow in boxing if he can handle and keep up with the pressure of the famous phrase “next big thing“.
I dont care who Valero fights next to be honest, I just want to see more of him. I think everyone else is the same. He is 28 which is a perfect age to start facing some higher level opponents. I am always looking forward to his next fight.
The Rock believes Valero must test himself first with the elite fighters. If Valero were to fight Manny this year, it will certainly be Valero’s first defeat and it will ugly. Manny will murder Valero in less than 3 rounds if not in 2…3 at most. Manny wull exploit Valero’s low hands and wide open mouth. Valero is a talent that still needs to add more impressive fighters to his resume. Manny will destroy Valero and probably destroy any confidence.
mini mayorga.
I’m a little reserved to pass judgement until he fights Peterson. As exciting as he is this will be his first real test. If he defeats Peterson in impressive fashion (KO) than why not put him up against Timothy Bradley since it took him 12 rounds to win a UD against Peterson. I’ll be watching whoever he fights just for the highlight KOs.
I´m a bit hesitant about Valeros health and mental state of mind. If he manages to have a fight with the elite fighters, big possibily he will end up invalid or handicap. That blood clot in his brain will surely make damages in the long run. I hope his camp and family are thinking the possibilities. On the other, maybe that´s why they are challenging Pacquiao, surely he´ll earn millions fighting with him and goes through retirement rightaway!
he is just a boxer who know how to punch but without a caliber
I say he stays at lightweight and have Yuriorkis Gamboa move up to meet him. That’s one fight I would like to see happen.
Valeros first round KO’s
Opponents Record – 117 W 95 L
28 years old 2 time champ without fighting any threatening opposition.
i dont get why people make so much of valero. he needs to do much more than beat a contender like demaco to deserve the hype. to be rumored to fight pacquiao? what a joke. pacman made his bones fighting and beating legends in pitched battles. valero? well there is his record and…..? well thats it really. i would not be suprised at all if arum tries to test the waters with a pac/valero fight simply because he knows pacman fans dont care who he fights and valeros record will sell itself during promotions. but come on!! put valero in with someone like devon alexander and he’s yesterdays news.
valero’s power is overrated. he can’t even knock down demarco and homno. look at his record his biggest wins was against demarco and Mosquera, these guys are b- fighters at best. valero is already 28 and hasn’t fought any a class fighter. Guzman wants to fight him but valero don’t want it. prove yourself first if you want pac. Lamont will outbox Valero, But if he KO Lamont i will be impress…
Valero is a joke. He’s got no boxing skills. Just a thug awaiting to taste defeat from a class B boxer with some boxing techs.
Another great and interesting article. Keep up the good work Ryan.