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.

However, that was then and this is now and though Valero can brawl with the best, he has undergone subtle changes the most important of which is that his punches are no longer thrown as wide and wild shots leaving him open for straight and short inside work. The old Valero (now 26-0) has improved and, along with solid foot movement and balance (which he likely has learned in Japan), he now uses an effective jab as a range finder, and once he does find the range, he opens up with straight-ahead volume punching designed to knockout or set up his opponent for the kill. In short, Edwin Valero has improved from the bloodied and rugged brawler who beat tough Vicente Mosquera in Panama in 2006. to a more accomplished performer who took Hector Velazquez to school on December 19.

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