By Francisco Salazar
New trainer. Recovery from a broken jaw.
After all Oscar Valdez has gone through and the changes he has made since his last fight, the transformation could result in more of a longevity in the sport.
He could also improve as a fighter overall, under the tutelage of trainer Eddy Reynoso.
Valdez will step inside the ring tonight for the first time in almost a year when he squares off against Carmine Tommasone at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. Valdez will be defending his WBO featherweight title.
Preceding the Valdez-Tommasone fight will be a 12 round lightweight bout between Richard Commey and Isa Chaniev for the vacant IBF world title.
Both fights will air live on ESPN (10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT).
Valdez (24-0, 19 knockouts) has not fought since outpointing Scott Quigg over 12 hard-fought rounds on Mar. 10 in Carson, Calif. During the fight, Valdez suffered a broken jaw at the hands of Quigg, who missed weight and refused to weigh-in on the same day of the fight.
The 28-year-old Valdez spent several weeks out of the ring as his jaw was wired shut. Over the summer, Valdez split with trainer Manny Robles and hired trainer Eddy Reynoso, who also trains Canelo Alvarez.
After traveling to Guadalajara, where Reynonso is based at, Valdez gained a lot of knowledge and confidence working with his new trainer.
“We had a great training camp, me and Eddy Reynoso,” said Valdez earlier in the week. “I’ve been training hard with Eddy. It was a great training camp, and I just can’t wait to get in (the ring) and start again where I left off.”
Valdez is a fan-friendly fighter, who has fought in all-out wars, including the Quigg fight. Valdez did suffer a knockdown in his September 2017 clash against Genesis Servania and some wondered how much longer Valdez would be able to fight at that work-rate and whether the injury to his jaw could play a factor in how he would fight in the future.
Valdez believes he is a better overall fighter and the jaw injury will not affect him mentally.
“(The injury to my jaw) was one of the most difficult times of my life,” said Valdez, who is managed by Frank Espinoza. “Having my jaw wired shut for two months was the hardest thing I've ever dealt with. That's in the past now. I'm ready to focus on this fight. I'm 100 percent healed from that injury. That's not going to bother me no more.”
Tommasone (19-0, 5 knockouts) will be fighting for the first time outside Italy. His last three fights were six-round bouts over the span of almost two years.
Despite Tommasone not having a significant win on his record, Valdez is not overlooking him.
“I never take no fighter lightly. There was a point where no one knew who Manny Pacquiao was when he came to the United States and had his first fight. And he became a star. So, we don't know what Tommasone can bring. I will be 100 percent ready for him, or for any fighter, because I don't take no fighter lightly. I have the same respect for all fighters inside the ring, and I'm going to do whatever I have to do come out victorious.”
“One thing in my mind is to not take him lightly and just try to get the job done and keep on improving my career. I'm definitely focused on this fight and start where I left off."
Valdez may look forward to furthering his career and becoming the best featherweight in boxing, but he is grateful to return to action.
“I'm just excited to get back in the ring.”
Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene.com since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing
