Oscar Valdez is ready for “The Homecoming” this Saturday in Tucson, Arizona the two-time Mexican Olympian was born in Nogales, Sonora, but called Tucson home for 10 years as a child. Photos by Mikey Williams.
“I am really looking forward to this fight.” said Valdez, “I will have family, friends and people who have supported me since the start of my boxing career. I do feel like I am coming home and want to give them all a great fight,” said Valdez who started boxing in Tucson when he was only eight years old.
Valdez will face Ernie Sanchez (15-6-1, 6 KOs) of the Philippines in the Tucson Arena this Saturday December 12 in the main event of a card that will be televised by Unimas in the United States on its “Solo Boxeo Tecate” boxing series.
“I have been working really hard in training camp for this fight. I feel great and ready to close out the year with a strong performance” said Valdez, who trained at the Rock Gym in Carson, California.
Under the tutelage of his trainer Manuel “Manny” Robles, Valdez has put in long hours for what would be his fourth fight of 2015
“Oscar comes to work hard each and every day. He knows how important it is to put the work in the gym, because that will the fights much easier in the ring” said Robles, who has worked with Valdez for the past two years.
“I expect Sanchez to be rough and strong guy who is coming to win and give it his all just like the Filipinos boxer” said Valdez.
Valdez (17-0, 15 KOs) will be looking for his fourth win of the year in December and is coming of his best win as a professional, a fifth round TKO over former world title challenger Chris Avalos last September 11 in Las Vegas.
Jose Benavidez Jr (23-0, 16 KOs) who taking on Sidney Siqueira (26-10-1, 17 KOs) of Brazil in the opening bout of the telecast will also be at the work out.
Tickets for show are $75, $50 and $25 and will be available at the Tucson Convention Center Ticket Office, any Ticketmaster location, Ticketmaster.com or charge by phone 800 745-3000.
