Avila Perspective, Chap. 124: Super Featherweights Collide and More

Avila Perspective, Chap. 124: Super Featherweights Collide and More

Many expect a Mexican battle of epic proportions to erupt when Miguel Berchelt defends the WBC super featherweight title against undefeated former featherweight titlist Oscar Valdez.

Whoever is hungriest will win the world title fight shown on ESPN.

Though Berchelt (37-1, 33 KOs) remains the favorite when he fights Valdez (28-0, 22 KOs) on Saturday Feb. 20, at the MGM Bubble in Las Vegas, records and stature can often lead to false comfort. Even between two Mexican warriors.

The super featherweight division at 130 pounds top heavy with talent. Among those dwelling in the weight class are former world champions Tevin Farmer, Carl Frampton, Leo Santa Cruz, Rene Alvarado and Andrew Cancio. Other top contenders are Chris Colbert and O’Shaquie Foster. And other current world titlists are Roger Gutierrez and Jamel Herring.

Its overflowing with talent.

Just last week in Southern California we saw Jojo Diaz lose the IBF title on the scale. He literally displayed a lack of hunger and subsequently fought to a draw against Russia’s Shav Rakhimov. Losing that hunger can happen to anyone.

Hunger allows a person that extra motivation to work on every phase of preparation. While one fighter may be complacent, the hungrier fighter will do that extra-something that can make the difference in a fight. It’s an element often overlooked.

“What I can promise is a willingness to leave it all in the ring and that is what I will do when I fight Berchelt,” said Valdez a former featherweight world titlist moving up another division. “I come well prepared physically and mentally.”

Valdez credits trainer Eddy Reynoso and his new surroundings that include training with the likes of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, Andy Ruiz and Ryan Garcia as contributors to his development. Their presence has to add that hunger of being considered a Mexican warrior like his idols Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera and Julio Cesar Chavez.

The champion Berchelt has long been considered unbeatable. He is large for the weight class and seemingly too big. Inside the ring few have been able to survive to hear the final bell. Not since Japan’s Takashi Miura has anyone lasted the full 12 rounds against the powerful Berchelt.

“I will fight a smart fight, and everyone knows that I can punch,” said Berchelt who won the WBC title four years ago against Francisco Vargas in Indio, California. “This is one of the most anticipated fights of the year. Some will be rooting for me some will be rooting against me.”

After six successful world title defenses in four years can Berchelt retain that hunger.

You never know in boxing. Success can also breed comfort. Like a fighter once said, “it’s hard to get up and run when you’re sleeping in silk pajamas.”

Super Lightweights

An interesting fight card features former lightweight champion Robert Easter Jr. (22-1-1, 14 KOs) meeting Ryan Martin (24-1, 14 KOs) in a 12-round super lightweight match at Mohegan Sun Casino in Conn. Showtime will televise the fight on Saturday Feb. 20.

Both Easter and Martin have always two of the classier fighters around and both need a win to crash the elite level.

“140 is definitely the place for me to be right now,” said Easter. “We’re worried about the present and capturing this title at 140.”

Martin knows Easter well during their amateur days.

“We’re two Ohio fighters with history. I’ve got a chip on my shoulder,” said Martin adding that he lost to Easter as a 16-year-old amateur. “It’s going to be an action-packed fight and I’m going to bring it.”

Also, on the same card, will be Adrien Broner a former multi-division world champion whose last fight was two years ago in a loss to Manny Pacquiao. Broner (33-4-1, 24 KOs) meets undefeated Jovanie Santiago (14-0-1, 10 KOs) of Puerto Rico who has never fought in the continental USA.

A third interesting match features heavyweights Otto Wallin (21-1,14 KOs) against former contender Dominic Breazeale (20-2, 18 KOs). Both have lost prior world title attempts. Breazeale was stopped by Deontay Wilder two years ago and Wallin battled Tyson Fury to an interesting decision loss.

The winner surely regains a footing in a future heavyweight world title match.

Fights to Watch

Sat. DAZN 11 a.m. Josh Kelly (10-0-1) vs David Avanesyan (26-3-1).

Sat. ESPN* 3:30 p.m. PT Elvis Rodriguez (10-0-1) vs Luis Veron (18-2-2) undercard.

Sat. Showtime 6 p.m. PT Robert Easter Jr. (22-1-1) vs Ryan Martin (24-1).

Sat. ESPN 7 p.m. PT Miguel Berchelt (37-1) vs. Oscar Valdez (28-0) main card.

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