Oscar Valdez KOs Miguel Berchelt in a Torrid Mexican Battle

A battle between Mexican warriors saw Oscar Valdez prove that hunger can be a powerful weapon as he out-boxed and then knocked out Miguel Berchelt to win the WBC super featherweight world title on Saturday.

Once again, a big underdog was the winner.

“Nothing better in life than proving people wrong,” said Valdez.

Valdez (29-0, 23 KOs) needed no fanfare or fans at the MGM Bubble in Las Vegas to prove that, underdog or not, he could dethrone Berchelt (37-2, 33 KOs) and did to the shocking surprise of many.

Berchelt was the physically bigger fighter and the big favorite to defend the world title for a seventh time and move a notch closer to Julio Cesar Chavez’s record of nine super featherweight title defenses. Even Chavez predicted Berchelt would be successful.

Not caring what the public or experts said, Valdez worked for more than a year preparing for this showdown. Hungry to prove to Mexico and the rest of the boxing world that he was capable was a tremendous motivator.

Valdez, a former featherweight world titlist, decided to move up and targeted the baddest of all the belt-holders in Berchelt.

“Every time I would see him, I would say I think I can beat him,” said Valdez who formerly held the WBO featherweight title. “I don’t want to be 60, 70 years in life and say I think I could have done it.”

Though Berchelt was considered the bigger man and the far more powerful puncher, Valdez walked into the boxing ring intending to show he could remain focused and use his boxing abilities to out-point the champion.

Right from the start he set the pace.

Sharp jabs from Valdez and providing angles kept the fight at a measured distance and kept Berchelt from loading up. It was a well-executed plan, but could he maintain it against the intense pressure of Berchelt?

“I stayed focused,” Valdez said. “There was times I wanted to stay in and bang it.”

A crisp left hook from Valdez to the always advancing Berchelt shook the champion in the fourth round and for the first time in the fight, he looked vulnerable as his legs quivered. Valdez went into attack mode and unloaded a four-punch combination that wobbled Berchelt. He used the ropes to maintain his footing and the referee wisely ruled it a knockdown and gave Berchelt the count. The fight resumed and Berchelt survived. Barely.

Remarkably Berchelt survived the ensuing attack by Valdez who tried to land the left hook again and again. But Berchelt was prepared for the onslaught and tried to land a few big blows of his own.

Berchelt mounted a rally of his own in the fifth round and connected with power shots of his own. He increased the pressure on Valdez and suddenly the fight seemed to change momentum.

Seeking to regain momentum, Valdez returned to using the jab as his primary weapon and suddenly he was back in charge. Berchelt stopped charging after Valdez and became hesitant. That pause provided all the space needed for Valdez.

Valdez used space and pot shots to prevent Berchelt from mounting an attack. And when Valdez unloaded a four-punch combination in the ninth round, down went Berchelt for the count. It was the second time Berchelt needed an eight count. He was able to survive the round but looked physically beat up.

Berchelt walked out for the 10^th round with a defeated look never seen before. Valdez landed single blows to the head with rights and lefts. And when Berchelt tried to retaliate with a combination of his own, Valdez slipped under three blows and countered with a thudding left hook that knocked out Berchelt before he hit the floor.

Referee Russell Mora waved the fight over at 2:59 of the 10^th round to give the win and the WBC super featherweight title to Valdez.

“They said Miguel Berchelt was going to knock me out,” said a euphoric Valdez after the win. “You stay disciplined and anything is possible.”

Other Bouts

Gabriel Flores Jr. (20-0, 7 KOs) answered some question of whether or not he has power by stopping Puerto Rico’s tough Jayson Velez (29-8-1) in the sixth round of their lightweight fight.

Flores, who is a native of Stockton, California, proved he indeed has knockout power by flooring Velez in the sixth round with a left hook to the temple. Though the Puerto Rican beat the count and valiantly tried to rally, he was met with another left hook and down he went for good at 1:47 of the sixth round.

“I’m ready for a world title,” said Flores. “He didn’t see the punch coming. That’s why I hurt him.”

Brazil’s Esquiva Falcao (28-0, 20 KOs) knocked out Russia’s Artur Akavov (20-4) in the fourth round of their middleweight fight.

Dominican super lightweight prospect Elvis Rodriguez (11-0-1) defeated Luis Veron (18-3-2) by unanimous decision after eight rounds. It was the first time Rodriguez was forced to win by decision.

Xander Zayas (7-0) won by decision after six rounds versus James Martin (6-2) in a welterweight fight.

Photo credit: Mikey Williams / Top Rank via Getty Images

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