By Mark Vester

WBC lightweight champion Edwin Valero is going to request permission from the WBC for an optional at 140-pounds. Top Rank's Bob Arum confirmed to BoxingScene.com on Sunday that Valero was going to move up to junior welterweight to further his quest for a dream fight with WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao.

Valero's request for an optional is a tactic to make sure the WBC doesn't strip him of his title and gives him the option of moving back down if the fight at 140 doesn't go as planned. WBC president Jose Sulaiman has no issue with granting Valero's request for an optional at 140.

Valero would like to fight Juan Diaz in the state of Texas. Diaz's last two fights practically took place at junior welterweight. Valero is licensed to fight in Texas. He knocked out Antonio Pitalua in Texas in 2009. Texas is Diaz's home state. Arum told BoxingScene he would like to have Valero fight WBC champion Timothy Bradley in the near future.

"I want that fight [optional] to take place in Texas, with "Baby Bull" Diaz, because I want to prove that I have power at this weight," Valero said.

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