Oscar Valdez will be taking a 10-round lightweight contest against Ricky Medina next month on September 6th at the Domo Binacional in his hometown of Nogales, Mexico.
Top Rank’s Broadcast Future
Top Rank hasn’t revealed which network, if any, the Valdez-Medina fight will be shown on. Their seven-year contract with ESPN expired last month on July 26th. They must still be searching for a new broadcast deal.
The former two-division world champion Valdez (32-3, 24 KOs) hasn’t fought since last December when he was stopped in the sixth round by WBO super featherweight champion Emanuel Navarrete.
Promoter Bob Arum says Valdez will be seeking his third world title. He doesn’t mention which of the champions he’ll be targeting at 130. It would be pointless for him to fight Navarrete again after the way he was dominated twice. The other champions, Lamong Roach Jr, Eduardo ‘Sugar’ Nunez, and ‘Shaquie Foster, would be brutal fights for him as well.
A Crucial Test for Valdez
“Oscar Valdez is a proud warrior, and this is a great opportunity for him to return home and prove he still has what it takes to contend at 130 pounds,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “Oscar has been with Top Rank since he turned pro, and we are in his corner as he attempts to become a three-time world champion.”
Medina (26-7, 10 KOs) has lost two out of his last three fights, and is likely no match for even this version of Valdez. However, with his youth, he might give Oscar a real test. We don’t know what Valdez has left in the tank at this point in his 13-year career. He’s lost three out of his last five fights, getting beaten twice by Navarrte and once by Shakur Stevenson. Those were all one-sided affairs.
Can Valdez Recapture Past Glory?
Valdez should consider moving back down to 126 and attempt to recapture the success he had in that weight class. That is where he started his career and fought at the highest levels. He’s not strong or skilled enough to match up with any of the champions at 130.