For world-ranked Oscar Valdez, last year was a very successful and satisfying year, but now the two-time Mexican Olympian is pointing to 2016 as the most important year of his professional career as he sets on the road to become a world champion.
“Last year was a big one for my career, but I am now looking at 2016 as my year. I know everything I worked for the last few years is within my grasp and I will continue to work very hard to reach my goal of becoming a world champion,” said Valdez, who is managed by Frank Espinoza of Espinoza Boxing.
In 2015, Valdez won his four fights, appeared on HBO and truTv and closed the year with two sensational knockouts over Chris Avalos in September in Las Vegas and over Ernie Sanchez in December in Tucson, Arizona.
“The win over Avalos was very important because as a former world title challenger he was my toughest test to date and the win over Sanchez was very special for me because for me Tucson is my second home and I was happy to fight there and be able to give the fans a good fight,” said Valdez, who lived in Tucson for 10 years as a child.
After his tremendous year, Valdez was invited to the “Premios Univision Deportes” and was able to do various shows in the Miami area. After the spending the holidays with his family in Sonora, Mexico and Nogales, Arizona, the Mexican contender started the year with a media tour in Mexico City.
In Mexico City, Valdez visited top newspapers, like Esto, Record and Milenio, he also visited the TV Azteca Studios for some promotional work as well as appearing in various TV shows in the national network and was a guest in the ESPNdeportes show “Golpe a Golpe” hosted by Juan Manuel Marquez and Julio Cesar Chavez Sr.
“It was great to talk and spend some time with the Mexican media. I was also able to speak with Juan Manuel Marquez and Julio Cesar Chavez who gave me some very important and sound advice on my career,” said Valdez, who also visited with the boxers who are going to represent Mexico in the Olympic Games in Brazil this summer.
While in Mexico Valdez received the news about his upcoming fight on April 9th in Las Vegas, Nevada against former world champion Evgeny Gradovich, the fight will be on the undercard of the third fight between Manny Pacquiao and Tim Bradley.
“When I got the news I got very excited. It’s a very difficult fight against a former world champion, but I am ready to show everyone what I am capable of doing. I think our styles are perfect for each other and will make for a very entertaining fight,” said Valdez.
Valdez has returned to Southern California and will once again be training for this fight at Rock Gym in Carson, California under the tutelage of Manny Robles.
