By Cliff Rold

He can punch.

And, hell yes, he can fight.

With a litany of opposition which for the most could not bring the full range of his qualities to the surface, questions were rightly raised about just how much more than a puncher WBC Lightweight titlist Edwin Valero (27-0, 27 KO) could be.

The evidence on Saturday night suggested he could be much more. 

It was hard to gauge where Valero was in his only other serious set up fights.  Vicente Mosquera was a good fighter when Valero won the WBA belt at 130 lbs., even came off the floor in the first to drop Valero, but he didn’t have enough firepower to close.  Antonio Pitalua, a solid veteran whom Valero knocked out to win his Lightweight diadem last year, got run over before a fight could break out.

Antonio DeMarco, younger and skillful, looked like as good a man as any to get a more meaningful read on the Venezuelan YouTube sensation.  DeMarco did just that, to his detriment.         

Let’s go to the report card. 

Grades
Pre-Fight: Speed – Valero A-; DeMarco B/Post: Same
Pre-Fight: Power – Valero A+; DeMarco B/Post: Same
Pre-Fight: Defense – Valero C; DeMarco B/Post: B; B+
Pre-Fight: Intangibles – Valero B+; DeMarco B+/Post: A; B

As noted in the pre-fight report card, no matter the power of Valero, “it’s underrated speed which makes them so effective.”  It was the case against DeMarco who looked occasionally almost surprised at just how fast Valero is.  Part of the reason Valero’s speed can catch foes unawares is that he switches it effectively.  He might paw with the jab or aim a deliberate lead right hook, but then he opens up with combinations and suddenly it dawns: this is one of the fastest active fighters in the world right now.

The Showtime broadcast made much of comparing Valero to a more unrefined Manny Pacquiao.  Another analogy could be made to Brazilian swinger Acelino Freitas before he got gunshy.  Like those fighters on their way to prominence, opponent’s pupils dilate at the realization of how quick leather is whipping into them.

Valero has shown previously and again Saturday the ability, almost like a pitcher, to carve up an opponent with both the fastball and change-up, hitting the corner of the plate.  Against lesser foes, it didn’t matter as much but he’s done it against what quality he’s faced so far.  While he didn’t score a highlight reel knockout on Saturday, there’s no reason to doubt his power either.  DeMarco took some huge shots.  That he could take them without falling added up to a beating by night’s end.

Defense had something to do with DeMarco’s survival.  He did a good job early in blocking or muffling the right hook and was well positioned to take the left hand on the side of the head rather than the chin.  As the fight wore on, the left started to connect but a warm DeMarco was able to withstand the punishment.  His corner stopping the fight after the ninth spoke to their comfort level about how many more he could take.

Valero showed extra dimensions on defense.  He still points his chin in the air, especially when he steps in with his southpaw right jab.  As his opposition gets tougher (and there’s too much talent at Lightweight for it not to), someone is going to catch him with a dramatic counter for his trouble.  DeMarco landed some flush lefts and, even flagging in the ninth, managed a flush right hook late. 

What Valero did to mitigate the damage was worth noting.  He slipped, rolled and ducked shots well, displaying upper body movement of the world class variety.  Valero also was effective in terms of dictating the range of the fight, using fast feet and angles to determine when the fight would be inside or outside. 

In terms of intangibles, the traits Valero exhibited in coming off the floor to beat Mosquera kicked in big after round two.  An elbow from DeMarco (replays suggested a very intentional elbow) opened a gash on Valero’s forehead.  He didn’t shrink from the sight of his blood (and it helped the blood didn’t run right into the eye).  Behind some frighteningly intense eyes, Valero was comfortable boxing his way to the win and never went one-shot happy.

DeMarco did what he could to stay afoot, but he was clearly discouraged and didn’t go for broke to win.  His corner stopped the fight, but he didn’t argue about it.  There’s some give there but there would have been give in a lot of guys.  Being overwhelmed can do that, especially when the in-ring truth is that you’re fighting someone much better than the tapes had warned you about. 

Looking Ahead

For DeMarco, it’s back to the drawing board but, only 23, he should be back in contention before too long.  He’ll have another shot one day and should be better from Saturday’s humbling episode.

In a more perfect world, we’d be on the verge of Valero versus lineal World Lightweight king Juan Manuel Marquez.  That is, right now, the best 135 lbs. can offer. 

This is not a more perfect world.  This is the world of a game called “Let’s do everything we can to match Amir Khan with bigger names who aren’t huge knockout threats,” so Marquez is probably headed to Junior Welterweight this Spring. 

The landscape without Marquez is good enough to make up for any imperfections.  Valero looked good Saturday but the proof isn’t all in.  He’s an easy fighter to get excited about but consistent threats are needed to solidify takes.  Bouts with Ali Funeka (30-2-3, 25 KO) or Joan Guzman (29-0-1, 17 KO) would create stylistic dilemmas and crowd pleasing action.  For all out war, Juan Diaz (35-3, 17 KO) and Michael Katsidis (26-2, 21 KO) could enhance Valero and increase his profile.  No matter the future, it’s clear Valero will be a big part of it for the Lightweight division.

And he’ll be must-see the whole time.

Report Card Picks 2010: 2-1

Cliff Rold is a member of the Ring Magazine Ratings Advisory Panel and the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com