Marquez: Valdez Needs More Experience For Russell, Santa Cruz

By Miguel Rivera

According to former four division beltholder Juan Manuel Marquez, the featherweight champion of the World Boxing Organization - Oscar Valdez (21-0, 19KOs) - needs at least three or four solid fights to prepare himself for the top names at 126-pounds.

After his recent knockout victory over Hiroshige Osawa in Las Vegas, Valdez told reporters that he was ready for the top names at featherweight.

Marquez disagrees with his position and he feels Osawa was a very weak and overmatched opponent.

"I feel that he needs a little more experience," Marquez said on Golpe a Golpe. "The Japanese fighter took a lot of punches and for me Osawa was disappointing to be in a top rated position. He was brave but had no technical skills or ability to throw combinations. When Valdez was connecting with big punches he was wide open and Osawa never capitalized on those mistakes."

Valdez called for unifications with Gary Russell Jr. and  Lee Selby, and also said he wants to face fighters like Leo Santa Cruz and Abner Mares.

"I do not think he's ready. He needs two or three or four fights against good opponents. Against Gary Russell, Abner Mares, Leo Santa Cruz - he needs more experience. He needs to face more good opponents - that's very important."

"His experience (Valdez) is not the same as those fighters. He would lack the confidence to face the great fighters, but if you start to gain that trust and face opponents who are at a better level, in the future you can face any of them and beat them - because I do not deny the quality of Valdez but it would be premature right now to face these types of opponents."