Oscar Valdez: I Expect a Big 2017, I Want Best Possible Opponents
Featherweight world champion Oscar Valdez will attend the third edition of the Premios Univision Deportes (Univision Sports Awards) in Miami on Sunday, December 18, broadcast live at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on the Univision Network and UDN. Valdez will be joining the star-studded awards show as a nominee for Boxer of the Year.
The two-hour presentation will honor sports figures for their accomplishments on and off the field of play, and across boxing, soccer, basketball, baseball, football, auto racing, extreme sports, tennis, and gymnastics, among other sports.
More than 50 athletes and teams have been nominated across 20 categories; the other boxers nominated for the award are world champions Saul Alvarez and Gilberto Ramirez.
“Anytime you get nominated for an award is very important. I worked very hard this year and this type of recognition makes all the hard work worthwhile,” said Valdez.
Valdez is a two-time Mexican Olympian and one to the best amateur boxers ever to come out of Mexico. He became a world champion in June of 2016. The hard-hitting Mexican began his year on April 9 with a spectacular knockout of former world champion Evgeny Gradovich, a win that opened the door to his first world championship fight.
On July 25, Valdez won the World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight championship with a devastating two-round knockout of previously unbeaten Martin Rueda of Argentina, and on November 5 he successfully defended his belt with a seven round knockout of number one ranked challenger Hiroshige Osawa of Japan.
“It was a great year, but I know I am still a long way from where I want to be. I am very proud to be a world champion. However, I want to be the best in my division and become a great fighter. I want to be talked about when people mention all-time greats. This is just the beginning,” said Valdez from Nogales, Sonora, Mexico.
Valdez began his professional career in November 3, 2012 in Hermosillo, Mexico. He now has an unblemished record of 21-0 with 19 KO’s and is looking forward to an even better 2017.
“I want the big fights. I want to be a great world champion and I know I have to face the best possible opponents out there. I will continue to work hard and strive to be the best boxer I can be. I expect an even bigger year in 2017 then I had in 2016,” said Valdez.
Promoted by Top Rank, Valdez is managed by Frank Espinoza and his son Frankie as well as his father Oscar. His trainers are Manuel Robles Jr. and Edgar Jasso.
“I have a great team behind me and I know that if I do my job, they will take me to great heights in this sport,” said Valdez.
