By Miguel Rivera

Oscar Valdez is not afraid to lose his undefeated record and he's very keen to become the featherweight champion of the World Boxing Council.

It is for this very reason that the current featherweight king of the World Boxing Organization has named Russell as his main target for the remainder of the year.

Valdez (22-0, 19 KOs) is looking a tentative return in late August or September. He last fought in April when he won a hard-fought decision over Miguel Marriaga in a mandatory fight.

Russell (28-1, 17 KOs) was in the ring back in May when he knocked out his own mandatory challenger, Oscar Escandon.

Valdez is looking to be the best fighter possible in his division and wants to make a statement by fighting the best boxers at the weight.

"I want to be recognized as a boxer like Juan Manuel Marquez, Julio Cesar Chavez, who in their time fought with the best, without fear of losing with anyone. Márquez has had losses, but people will always remember him as the great champion," said Valdez to Golpe a Golpe.

"I am not afraid to lose, I am not afraid to risk my undefeated record to face the best, whether it is Abner Mares, Leo Santa Cruz, Lee Selby, Gary Russell, who has the green belt. I want to fight them to say that I'm a great boxer. If I had the chance, I would pick Gary Russell. Nothing personal against any of those boxers, but I want that title."

"I really like boxing. I've already seen that Mares is going with Santa Cruz, Frampton with Gutierrez, Russell fights once a year and I see it being difficult to put together because of the television channels. I know that boxing is short. I don't want to get old one day and turn around and say, 'What would have happened if I had faced Gary Russell? Would I have won or lost? ' I do not want to have that doubt. Right now I know it's my best moment, I want to face Gary Russell."