Bob Arum Impressed By Trio of Top Rank Prospects

By Steve Kim

Top Rank CEO Bob Arum was in attendance in Tuscon, Arizona this past weekend as his featherweight prospect, Oscar Valdez, improved to 18-0 (16 KO's) by stopping veteran Ernie Sanchez with an explosive left-hook in the third round.

"He looked extraordinarily good and I wouldn't hesitate to put him in with any featherweight in the world with the exception of my Ukranian beast," said the veteran promoter, referring to WBO titlist Vasyl Lomachenko.

Valdez, a two-time Mexican Olympian is part of Top Rank's future foundation that includes the likes of Felix Verdejo and Jose Ramirez, who all performed well in recent weeks and are ready to go to the next level according to Arum.

"We've laid out tentative plans which were discussing with Peter Nelson (HBO Sports Executive Vice President) and I think these guys next year will have a number of slots allocated among them as the second fight on a big HBO show," he explained.

And perhaps even a 'Boxing After Dark' card that features all of them on one broadcast.

"Yeah absolutely, that's one of the things we have discussed."

Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.