By Steve Kim

So what's next for WBO featherweight titlist, Oscar Valdez, who gutted out a tough twelve round decision over Miguel Marriaga on April 22nd at the StubHub Center in Carson, California, in his last outing?

It could be a late September return.

Valdez's manager, Frank Espinoza told BoxingScene.com - "Oscar is back in the gym now and preparing for his next fight. We don't have anything finalized but we are in discussions with Top Rank to bring him back on September 22nd - that's the date Top Rank mentioned - hopefully in Tucson, Arizona. We want to develop him into a ticket seller out there. I believe he can become the next big Mexican superstar. Oscar is ready to go and start fighting the best in the division."

The show in Tuscon is already having fights being lined for the date. WBO super middleweight champion Gilberto Ramirez is slated to make the second defense of the title he captured last April, in a battle with mandatory challenger Jesse Hart. Also, there is talk that popular Irish Olympian Michael Conlan will reaper on the card as well, in what would be his fourth bout since turning pro in March.

The 26-year old Valdez (22-0, 19 KO's) has gained a reputation as one of the most exciting and crowd-pleasing young champions in the sport.

"Oscar has been everything as advertised from the time we signed him out of the 2012 Olympics," stated Espinoza, who's no stranger to handling the careers of champions having been involved with the likes of Martin Castillo and Israel Vazquez, among others, in the past.

"This is a kid who's passionate about the sport and hungry to achieve great things in the future."

Valdez's last opponent, Marriaga, is back in action next Saturday when he moves up in weight to challenge WBO super featherweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko in an ESPN televised fight. 

Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.