LOS ANGELES, CA - World ranked bantamweight Alex Valdez has opened training camp in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico in preparation for his world title fight with World Boxing Council champion Hozumi Hasegawa set for Thursday, October 16th in Tokyo, Japan.
A native of Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico, the 24 year old Valdez, 24-2-1 (15KO’s), is training with WBO Super Flyweight Champion Fernando Montiel and his father, trainer Manuel Montiel Sr.
Said Valdez, “This is the perfect environment for me. Fernando and I get along great and his father is very easy to work with. I’ll be here in Los Mochis until just before I leave for Tokyo and by then I should be in terrific shape for my world title fight with Hasegawa.”
Concurred Frank Espinoza, President of the Espinoza Boxing Club and manager of Valdez, “Alex truly understands the importance of this fight. A win here and it could only lead to bigger fights down the way. Obviously fighting in Tokyo, it will be a strong hometown crowd for Hasegawa but Valdez is mentally tough and the location of the fight shouldn’t affect him."
Valdez, currently world ranked #2 by the World Boxing Council, is coming off a ten round unanimous decision over Anyetei Laryea on June 20th. Spanning seventeen bouts, he is undefeated in the last four years.
The 27 year old Hasegawa, 24-2 (8KO’s) is coming off a second round knockout of Cristian Faccio on June 12th in Tokyo. Along with the World Boxing Council title, he is currently ranked the #1 bantamweight in the world by ESPN and Ring Magazine. The Japan based Hasegawa has made six championship defenses since winning the title from Veeraphol Sahaprom in April 2005
The Hasegawa/Valdez fight will take place at the Yoyogi First Gym in Tokyo and is promoted by Akihiko Honda and Teiken Promotions.
The ESPINOZA BOXING CLUB was started in 1991 by Los Angeles area businessman Frank Espinoza. Espinoza has earned numerous accolades for his management skills from many boxing newspaper and internet writers. In the September 2008 issue of Ring Magazine, Espinoza is praised for his outstanding handling of the career of junior featherweight world champion and “Pound for Pound” superstar Israel “EL MAGNIFICO” Vazquez.
Espinoza also has managed retired former world champion Martin “EL GALLITO” Castillo and currently manages former world champion Julio “LA SOMBRA” Zarate along with world ranked Alex Valdez and Miguel “EL ANESTESISTA” Huerta in addition to undefeated prospects Manuel “SUAVECITO” Roman, Jesus “POLLO” Hernandez, Luis Ramos, Carlos Molina and Abraham Lopez.