Oscar Valdez is set to embark on the comeback trail.
BoxingScene has learned that the former two-division titlist will return to the ring on September 6. Neither an opponent nor definitive location was determined as this goes to publication, though the event will take place in his native Mexico.
The fight will be the first since Valdez, 32-3 (24 KOs), suffered a sixth-round stoppage defeat to WBO 130lbs titlist Emanuel Navarrete, 39-2-1 (32 KOs; 1 No-Contest), last December 7 in Phoenix, Arizona. It marked the first time he was ever stopped through 35 pro bouts.
During his downtime, Valdez – a two-time Olympian for Mexico – and his team opted to reunite with original head trainer Manny Robles. The decision meant an end to his time spent with Eddy Reynoso, with whom Valdez parted on amicable terms after six years and 12 fights.
Valdez, 34, previously held the WBO 126lbs and WBC 130lbs titles.
His featherweight title reign ran from July 2016 through his divisional departure in 2019 when he moved up to the junior lightweight division.
The tail end of his stay at 126lbs included his first full year with Reynoso, under whom he captured his second major title. Valdez claimed the WBC 130lbs belt with an emphatic tenth-round knockout of Miguel Berchelt in their February 2021 ESPN headliner from the MGM Grand bubble in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In addition to the highlight reel knockout, Valdez also ended his countryman’s four-plus year title reign.
Just one successful defense followed – a twelve-round, unanimous decision over Robson Conceicao in their September 2021 meeting in Valdez’s childhood hometown of Tucson, Arizona. The event was marred by a drug testing controversy, though one which ultimately moved forward after the presiding commission and the ABC (Association of Boxing Commissions) cleared Valdez of any wrongdoing.
Valdez dropped his WBC title one fight later when he suffered his first career defeat at the hands of Shakur Stevenson in their April 2022 WBC/WBO 130lbs unification clash in Las Vegas.
He is just 2-2 since that night, with both losses coming to Navarette. Valdez sat out more than a year following the loss to Stevenson, and returned with a repeat win over Adam Lopez. Their May 2023 rematch came three-and-a-half years after Valdez survived a knockdown to stop Lopez in the seventh round of their November 2019 meeting, his first fight at 130lbs.
The second victory over Lopez was followed by a quick ring turnaround, as Valdez was back at it less than three months later in a bid for Navarrete’s WBO 130lbs title. Their entertaining August 2023 all-Mexico clash saw Navarrete prevail via unanimous decision at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
Valdez had overcome a broken orbital bone in his right eye, which – coupled with the defeat – admittedly left him in a state of depression. He was able to rebound with a seventh-round knockout of Australia’s Liam Wilson, at the same Glendale venue last March 29 in arguably his finest performance since his win over Berchelt.
It remains his last victory to date, though he’s taken the steps to make sure that changes for the better in September.
In reuniting with Robles, Valdez joins a red-hot stable. Among the notable clients are: lineal and WBO 115lbs queen Mizuki “Mimi” Hiruta; WBA interim 168lbs titlist Armando Resendiz, fresh of his upset win over Calbe Plant; former two-division titlist Brandon Figuerao; and top 154lbs contender Serhii Bohachuk.
“I'm motivated and eager to return,” Valdez insisted at the time of his announced relink with Robles.
