Valdez vs. Avalos: BoxingScene Staff Predictions

By Jake Donovan

Top Rank is set to resume its Metro PCS Friday Night Knockout series on truTV. The fall season premiere airs Friday live from The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, topped by a featherweight bout between unbeaten Oscar Valdez and former title challenger Chris Avalos.

Valdez (16-0, 14KOs) is coming off of a wide decision win over Ruben Tamayo in June. The bout marked his debut on HBO's flagship network, with Friday's fight serving as his third HBO-affiliated appearance, with truTV under the same corporate umbrella. 

The unbeaten prospect—who served on the 2008 and 2012 Mexico Olympic team—also fought on HBO Latino last November. 

Avalos (26-3, 19KOs) fights for the second straight time after a failed title bid earlier this year. The knockout artist from California came up well short in a stoppage loss to unbeaten 122 lb. titlist Carl Frampton earlier this year in Belfast. 

He has since rebounded with an eight-round decison win over Rey Perez in August. 

BOXINGSCENE.COM STAFF PREDICTIONS: OSCAR VALDEZ vs. CHRIS AVALOS

Shaun Brown (Valdez TKO8): Again a good test for a prospect's credentials at this stage in his career. I expect to Valdez to wear Avalos down forcing a late compassionate stoppage.

Jake Donovan (Valdez KO6): Avalos will come to fight... and that should play right into Valdez' hands, who believes a strong enough performance here puts him at the contender level.

Takahiro Onaga (Valdez UD): Huge step up for Valdez but I like the youngster and see him going far. Tough task but one he answers a lot of questions. 

Cliff Rold (Valdez KO): Avalos is coming in off a short rest and isn't long removed from being blasted by Frampton. This is going to be a rough night against a blue chipper.

Reynaldo Sanchez (Valdez TKO8): Perhaps the best fight this Friday. Valdez is very optimistic and he want to show us that he have the tools to make great fights in this weight class.

Alexey Sukachev (Valdez TKO6): That's the last chance for Avalos to revive his downwarding career. That's why he will be aggressive and offensive... And that's why he will lose inside the distance (with fireworks!) to a fresher fighter.