By Rick Reeno
MGM Grand, Las Vegas - Last night, Mexican Olympian Oscar Valdez (20-0, 18KOs) made a big statement when he blew right through previously undefeated and untested Matias Rueda (26-1, 23KOs) in two rounds.
"It’s a dream [to capture this title]. Since I was 8 [this was my dream] - ever since I began boxing in the gym - not just me but me and my father and I want to dedicate to my cousin who passed away recently," Valdez said.
"That’s the beauty about this sport, if you work hard, your dreams can come true. My manager my trainer are all a part of this. If the training works the dreams comes true. I want to fight the best. Now that I have the belt I know they will all be coming."
With that impressive victory Valdez gained the vacant WBO featherweight title. The title was recently vacated by Vasyl Lomachenko (6-1, 4KOs), who moved up to 130-pounds to capture the WBO belt in that division.
Valdez and Lomachenko have history. In 2009, Lomachenko had few difficulties when he decisioned Valdez in the World Amateur Championships - winning their fight by way of a 12-1 score.
That defeat has not slipped from Valdez's memory. He is more than willing to put himself in position to get revenge on the two-time Olympic gold medal winner. That fight, should it happen, is not in the cards for the immediate future.
"That was the amateurs and this is the pros. Anything can happen. I will fight Lomachenko again," Valdez said.
