Former two-division titleholder Oscar Valdez has become a promotional free agent – and he is pressing to become a three-time champion before closing his decorated career, BoxingScene has learned.
A boxing official close to the situation said Valdez, 33-3 (24 KOs), is free from longtime promoter Top Rank after winning a September comeback fight in Mexico in his first bout since losing to junior lightweight titleholder Emanuel Navarrete via knockout in December 2024.
Valdez, 35, is trained by Manny Robles. The two-time Olympian aspires to be back fighting in the first half of 2026, the official said.
Defeated twice by Navarrete and once by WBC lightweight titleholder Shakur Stevenson (in a unification bout at 130lbs), Valdez built a reputation as a disciplined, dedicated fighter.
Because of that, he could generate interest from promoters throughout the sport – even as his performance was viewed as diminishing in the rematch loss to Navarrete in Phoenix.
Valdez reigned as WBO featherweight titleholder from 2016-2019, including a highlight-reel victory over Scott Quigg in which Valdez suffered a broken jaw. He went on to capture the WBC junior lightweight belt in 2021 with a stirring 10th-round knockout of Miguel Berchelt.
Valdez’s potential suitors are numerous.
There is Zuffa Boxing, which is currently filling its stable as it stages multiple fights for its streaming deal with Paramount+. Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing has a 130lbs titleholder in Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez. Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions has new WBA titleholder Jazza Dickens.
Valdez’s manager, Frank Espinoza, has fighters in Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions. Espinoza and a Top Rank official declined to comment on Valdez’s status.
