Oscar Valdez vs. Jayson Velez: Full Results
Top Rank Boxing returns today(Tue. July 21) with a five-bout card headed up by a super featherweight clash between Mexico’s Oscar Valdez (27-0, 21 KO) and Puerto Rico’s Jayson Velez (29-6-1, 21 KO).
There is a lot a stake tonight for Valdez, who is the justifiable favorite. A win would put him on course for a shot at Miguel Berchelt’s WBC world title. The 29-year-old vacated his WBO featherweight belt last August rather than fight Shakur Stevenson, who was the mandatory challenger. The rationale behind that decision was that he wanted to target success in the 130-pound division and that the weight cut to 126 was becoming increasingly difficult.
If Valdez slips up tonight against the 32-year-old Velez, it could jeopardize a potential Berchelt mega-bout. Velez is not in the same class as Valdez, but he has shared the ring with the likes of Joseph Díaz and René Alvarado and will be no pushover.
The co-main event of this evening is a super middleweight clash between the undefeated prospect Edgar Berlanga (13-0, 13 KO) and Eric Moon (11-2, 6 KO). The Top Rank matchmakers see a lot of potential in Berlanga, who, at just 23 years of age, looks to have the world at his feet. He trains under Danny Jacob’s former trainer Andre Rozier, and tonight’s matchup will be a step up in class for the young New Yorker.
Berlanga has won all his fights in the opening round, but against a seasoned campaigner like Moon, he could be hearing the second round bell for the first time in his career. It will be interesting to see how he reacts if the fight makes it past the early stages.
Full Card: (ESPN & ESPN Deportes, 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT)
- Super Featherweight: Oscar Valdez def. Jayson Velez via RD10 TKO
- Super Middleweight: Edgar Berlanga def. Eric Moon via RD1 KO
- Light Flyweight: Kim Clavel def. Natalie Gonzalez via Unanimous Decision
- Super Lightweight: Dennis Okoth vs.Elvis Rodriguez def. Dennis Okoth via RD TKO
- Featherweight: Isaac Dogboe def. Chris Avalos via RD TKO
