No surgery for Oscar Valdez but return unknown after jaw wired shut

 WBO Featherweight titleholder Oscar Valdez fought most of his bout against Scott Quigg with a broken jaw. Photo provided by Mikey Williams/Top Rank

As featherweight world titleholder Oscar Valdez was loaded into an ambulance on Saturday night following his epic slugfest with Scott Quigg, he flashed a big smile and gave a thumbs up to his team.

Valdez had suffered a broken jaw in the fifth round and spit blood for much of the rest of the extremely violent fight with Quigg, who walked away with his own issues, including a broken nose, cuts, black eyes and swelling on his forehead that made him look like a Klingon from Star Trek.

But Valdez won by unanimous decision — 118-110, 117-111 and 117-111 — at the soggy StubHub Center in Carson, California, where the nonstop rain made it an eerie night with just a few thousand fans willing to brave the elements for the Top Rank ESPN card.

On Monday, Valdez visited oral surgeon Dr. Douglas Galen in Beverly Hills, where he had his jaw wired shut. It will stay that way for the next five or six weeks, Frank Espinoza, Valdez’s manager, told ESPN.

Espinoza said Valdez did not require surgery but was put under anesthesia so the doctor could reset his jaw, which had been hanging to the side after the injury, and wire it closed. Valdez was released later Monday from the outpatient procedure and was resting at a rented home in Southern California, Espinoza said.

“Right now, Oscar just needs to rest,” Espinoza said. “He has a follow-up appointment on Friday. I’m very proud of Oscar. He showed a lot of grit. He went seven rounds with a broken jaw. He’s got a big heart. I’ve always said he had that warrior spirit and he showed it against Quigg. There’s no quit in Oscar. But now it’s time for him to relax and get better. I don’t even want him to think about boxing.”

As for how long Valdez will be out of action, Espinoza said neither he nor Valdez even asked the doctor about it, though it seems to be a good possibility he might not fight for the rest of the year. When Quigg suffered a broken jaw in his a split-decision loss to Carl Frampton in their 2016 junior featherweight world title unification fight, he was out of action for 10 months.

“I think we’ll see how he recovers and that [conversation with the doctor] will come later,” Espinoza said. “I can’t judge when he’ll be back, but no time soon. Right now he’s just going to follow the doctor’s orders. When the doctor gives him the green light, then we’ll talk about it. Right now we just want him to rest and we want to thank all the well wishers. They’ve been flowing in, and Oscar really appreciates them.”

Valdez (24-0, 19 KOs), 27, a two-time Olympian from Mexico, retained his title for the fourth time with the kind of gutsy and exciting performance that harkened back to so many fights put on by fan-favorite warriors from his country, such as Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales, Valdez’s idol.

It was not lost on Top Rank president Todd duBoef, Valdez’s promoter.

“Those memorable nights and memorable performances make fans want to see someone come back right away,” duBoef said. “It was a breakthrough night for Oscar, so it’s unfortunate that he has an injury that will keep him on the sideline for a bit. We don’t know how long he’ll be sidelined, but his star power and the awareness of him to fight fans and sports fans dramatically increased as a result of his brave performance on Saturday night.”

The fight almost didn’t come off because England’s Quigg (34-2-2, 25 KOs), 29, came in overweight at Friday’s weigh-in. He was 128.8 pounds, well over the 126-pound limit and ineligible to win the title, while Valdez was 125.8. Top Rank and Espinoza wanted Quigg to agree to a Saturday morning weight check at which he couldn’t weigh more than 136 pounds, but Quigg refused to go along with it.

At that point, Espinoza said he advised Valdez not to go through with the fight, but Valdez had trained hard for two months and wanted to fight and earn his nearly $500,000 purse that was increased with money from Quigg’s purse due to a fine from the California State Athletic Commission, plus additional cash from a side deal between the camps.

“I told Top Rank that I was requesting a second-day weigh-in. My guy sweated and made weight and I wanted Oscar to have a fair playing field,” Espinoza said. “I wanted 136 pounds max and Quigg wouldn’t do it. Absolutely no. It pissed me off. He didn’t make weight, so at least try to oblige us on the second-day weigh-in so he’s not so much bigger.

“They didn’t show professionalism, Quigg and [trainer] Freddie [Roach]. I went back and told Oscar they wouldn’t do it, that they wouldn’t agree to the second-day weigh-in. So my advice to Oscar was not to take the fight. But it was Oscar’s decision. He took the fight. He wanted the fight — and he won.”

http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/22739756/oscar-valdez-jaw-wired-shut-days-bloody-slugfest-scott-quigg

By Steve Kim

Back in March of 2014, in what was just his second professional outing, former two-time Olympic gold medal winner Vasyl Lomachenko (6-1, 4KOs) was out-pointed over twelve rounds by then WBO featherweight titlist Orlando Salido (43-13-4, 30KOs).

It was a fight not only marred by numerous low blows that were landed by the Mexican, but Salido failed to make the 126-pound weight limit and lost his belt on the scales.

Three months later in his very next fight, Lomachenko captured the vacant WBO championship with a twelve round majority decision over Gary Russell Jr.

Salido on the other hand moved up in weight to capture the WBO title at super featherweight with a knockout of Orlando Cruz in October of 2013. He would go on to lose that title to Roman Martinez last April.

Lomachenko on June 11th impressively halted Martinez to win the WBO 130-pound title.

And if it were up to Top Rank’s CEO Bob Arum, Lomachenko would be getting another crack at the wily Salido (who’s coming off a memorable slugfest against WBC featherweight champion Francisco Vargas – that was ruled a draw).

Salido himself is pushing for the fight and Lomachenko hungers to avenge the only defeat of his professional career.

”We’re looking to bring (Lomachenko) back in October and we’re looking at – among others – Orlando Salido as a big possibility,” said the veteran promoter, who mentioned that HBO has promised him another date from the Ukrainian stylist.

“Orlando wants to fight him, Orlando has a victory over him. That should be a terrific fight, say for StubHub (Center).”

www.boxingscene.com/arum-looks-make-lomachenko-salido-ii-possibly-stubhub–106862?print_friendly=1

By Alexey Sukachev –

Rising manager Egis Klimas spoke to BoxingScene.com about the diamond in his boxing stable, two-time Olympic gold medal winner Vasyl Lomachenko (1-0, 1KO). The boxer will go for a world title in only his second pro fight, when he challenges WBO featherweight champion Orlando Salido on March 1.

– Vasyl Lomachenko is the jewel of your stable and a two-time Olympic gold medalist. He debuted with an eye-catching win of Jose Ramirez in October. Has he exceeded your expectations, or equaled them?

– He is so special. The plan was to box with Ramirez, to go the distance with him in the first pro fight, maybe all ten rounds to show Vasyl’s skills and abilities. But that’s boxing. He threw a punch – it was natural – his opponent went down and out. For me, personally, it was a much more interesting turn of events.

Vasya dropped his opponent, made it look spectacular. He looked great. In the third, he landed a picturesque combo on Ramirez with such an ease, that it was astounding. He cut off the ring perfectly, he showed technique. Then he landed that punch. What are boxing fans waiting and looking for in a fight?

– I suppose, knockout is the right answer?

– Absolutely. And he delivered it. Had he danced with that Mexican for all ten rounds – I’ll tell you – someone would have certainly said how dull that fight was. Psychology. Like people say of [Guillermo] Rigondeaux. A great boxer? Yes! One you will pay to watch? Nah…

I’m totally delighted with the outcome of the fight. Lomachenko is a unique product, a special fighter. Not only me but also Bob Arum – we think he has a PPV future ahead of him. His first fight was PPV, despite him being a foreigner. His second fight will be PPV as well. People will pay to watch him.

– With all due respect to Vasily, his first fight wasn’t a complete blowout. He had marks on his face. He missed some punches, and he got hit by Ramirez.

– I’ve reviewed tapes of Ramirez fight. That bruise – it has come from a headbutt rather than from a punch. On one hand, it doesn’t matter – you should look after all the details while in ring. You should be ready for everything, including fouls and dirty tactics. On the other hand, that’s boxing.

I don’t think it is what we should worry about. You get hit in boxing. It’s not a ballet, it’s a tough game. But you should eat one to answer with a multi-punch combination, and it makes for a crowd-pleasing fighter, one who will be beloved. Much more dangerous are heavy blows, and we shall control that.

– Who has made Vasily such a great boxer he is?

– His father. Anatoly Nikolayevich [Lomachenko] made Vasya so great. 95% of Lomachenko is his father, who has prepared an absolute fight machine. His knowledge is great, his connection with his son is perfect.

– Anatoly Lomachenko is a great amateur coach. Perception is he doesn’t have full knowledge of the pro game yet. What can be done to strengthen Team Lomachenko? Can Vasily make a transition to a pro trainer from his father? Will it affect him?

– I saw many examples of that kind in boxing, when father trains his son. Shane Mosley, Nathan Cleverly, Roy Jones and so on. My perception always was like: “Nah, he will run into it, shouting, making an unnecessary fuss in the corner – we don’t need that. A father shouldn’t be a trainer”. In the case of the Lomachenko family, it’s different, and I feel cutting down this connection will cut off Vasyl’s pro future.

Anatoly Lomachenko is such a knowledgeable guy. He analyzes, he studies fights and boxing trends. Everything he says… it makes sense. And Vasily trusts him fully… But when they came to America, Papa Lomachenko himself asked us to find a pro coach with a great understanding of prizefighting to help them, to make their team stronger. It’s not just words. He can speak but he can also listen to.

Team Lomachenko is very strong. We’ve brought in rising coach Joey Gamache, a two-time world champion himself to the camp. Gamache is a very promising young coach, who was refined by the late great Emanuel Steward. He also works as a cutman. We also have a specific conditioning trainer and a speed-developing guru, who help us. Both Vasily and Anatoly accepted these newcomers.

FUTURE OF LOMACHENKO

– On March 1 he battles ultra-tough veteran champion Orlando Salido (40-12-2, 28 KOs) for the WBO title. If he is successful…

– Not “if”. When he is successful (smiles).

– Yes, when he is successful… Okay. I feel that questions about the Salido fight are worthless now. So when he is past Salido, I assume, only big-time fights and only stars will be on his mind. And if not stars then at least, other champions in the featherweight division. One of them is Gradovich. Is there a chance for that fight – between Gradovich and Lomachenko, both being managed by you and promoted by Top Rank?

– Of course, I don’t want this fight to happen. I’m against it. But that is the sport. If this fight comes along, we shall do it. Maybe I shall not be present at the arena for that show, so I don’t show any signs of support and sympathy for both of them. I’ll stay at home, popcorn in my hand (smiles), watching it by TV.

Friends clash against each other in the ring. Once, in 1955, there was a fight for the Soviet championship, when the two best Lithuanian fighters Algirdas Šocikas and Richardas Juškenas, who were also close friends, collided in the final. Richardas Juškenas is my father-in-law. And Šocikas asked: “What shall we do, Richardas”, while Juškenas answered: “What can we do? What shall we do? We should fight!” They fought, and Juškenas won…

One manager and one promoter – that is an intra-team fight, which is always possible. A more recent sample: Orlando Salido defeated Orlando Cruz – both were promoted by Top Rank. Yes, Lomachenko vs. Gradovich is surely possible.

– People say Rigondeaux is who you should fight next after Salido (not saying if) is done with. What do you think?

– It’s possible. Why not? I don’t feel Vasya isn’t ready – he is. But Rigondeaux should move up in weight to 126 lbs for this fight to happen. In one of his interviews, the Cuban master asked for a catchweight. It doesn’t make sense. Vasyl will not drain down to 122 lbs. That’s highly unlikely. If Team Rigondeaux wants that fight, go up in weight, and we shall be here.

– What a fight that would be? Will it be interesting to watch two prime (and, in my mind, still) amateurs in the prize ring?

– Guillermo [Rigondeaux] isn’t fun to watch – that’s true. His latest fights were disastrous – from that standpoint. Of course, he is a unique boxer; he moves perfectly, he is untouchable; he is a perfect product for an extreme hardcore purist. Sadly [for them], boxing is made for fans. It’s hard to find many, boxing the way Rigondeaux boxes.

Rigondeaux is not what HBO, what TV channels need from boxing. What they need is fights like James Kirkland vs. Glen Tapia, like Matt Korobov’s latest outing. Yes, Korobov was badly shaken, but he weathered the storm and knocked his opponent out. Ruslan Provodnikov – wow! What fights he has brought on the table.

Frankly, I don’t want this fight. Just because the Cuban fighter is capable of jinxing any fight against any fighter. He would run much, tip-tap – then jump out on the distance and run around. People will start quitting the arena after five to six rounds of such a horrible “blockbuster”. Who needs that? But if the offer is there, we should certainly weigh-in all the options and discuss it within our Team. We don’t rule this fight out.

http://www.boxingscene.com/lomachenkos-manager-on-career-future-big-fights–73405

Photo: Chris Farina / Top Rank –

Undefeated former WBO featherweight champion Mikey Garcia poses at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy Tuesday in preparation for his upcoming world championship fight against two-time WBO junior lightweight champion Roman “Rocky” Martinez, Saturday, November 9 from the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark, beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/mikey-garcia-update-3-230031

Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios talks with undefeated former WBO featherweight champion Mikey Garcia and Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy Tuesday. Rios is preparing for his upcoming mega fight against superstar Manny Pacquiao at The Venetian Macao Resort in Macau, China which will be televised live in the US, Saturday, Nov. 23, 9pm ET/6pm PT on HBO Pay-Per-View. Rios will hold his only U.S. media workout this Thursday, October 31, at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy, beginning at Noon PT. Photos by Chris Farina/Top Rank.

Garcia takes on two-time WBO junior lightweight champion ROMAN “Rocky” MARTINEZ while Donaire battles Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan, Saturday, November 9 from the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark, beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT.

http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-rios-donaire-garcia-preparing-bouts–71124

By Sharon Scrima –

Former WBO featherweight champion Orlando “Siri” Salido (39-12-2, 27 KOs) will face Orlando “El Fenómeno” Cruz (20-2-1, 10 KOs) for the vacant WBO featherweight title formerly held by Mikey Garcia on October 12. The fight will take place on the PPV card headlined by WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley against Mexican ring legend Juan Manuel Marquez at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The title became vacant when Mikey Garcia couldn’t make the weight and lost the belt on the scale. Salido formerly held the same title for nearly two years before losing it to Garcia in January. Former Olympian and WBO #1 rated Cruz made worldwide headlines last October when he announced that he “is a proud gay man.” A win over Salido would make Cruz is the first openly gay world champion in boxing history.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/salido-cruz-set-for-the-vacant-wbo-featherweight-belt-211644

Photo:  Joel Colon/PBBP –

Mikey Garcia stopped Juan Manuel Lopez in the fourth round on Saturday, leaving the WBO featherweight title vacant after Garcia failed to make weight.

Garcia (32-0) weighed in at 128 pounds (58 kg) on Friday, two pounds over the featherweight limit.

Lopez weighed in at 125.5 pounds (57 kg). Even though he tried to shed a couple pounds before the weigh-in, Garcia knew it was likely he was going to have to forfeit his title.

“The disappointment was there because I lost my title,” Garcia said.

“I was crying a little bit because I knew I wasn’t the champion. But everybody got a chance to see I’m a good fighter. This was a satisfying victory.”

Garcia put Lopez on the ground with a strong left-handed blow 1:34 into the fourth round for his 27th career knockout.

Lopez (33-3) would have regained the title with a win.

Garcia won the title from Orlando Salido on a unanimous decision in New York on January 19.

The title reign, however, was short-lived after Garcia didn’t make weight.

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1778861/Garcia-stops-Lopez-in-fourth-round

DALLAS (AP) Mikey Garcia quickly got over the disappointment of losing his crown.

Garcia stopped Juan Manuel Lopez in the fourth round Saturday night, leaving the WBO featherweight title vacant after Garcia failed to make weight.

Garcia (32-0) weighed in at 128 pounds Friday, two over the featherweight limit. Lopez weighed in at 125 1/2. Even though he tried to shed a couple pounds before the weigh-in, Garcia knew it was likely he was going to have to forfeit his title.

“The disappointment was there because I lost my title,” Garcia said. “I was crying a little bit because I knew I wasn’t the champion. But everybody got a chance to see I’m a good fighter. This was a satisfying victory.”

Garcia put Lopez on the ground with a strong left-handed blow 1:34 into the fourth round for his 27th career knockout. The 25-year-old Californian connected on 53 punches – 40 of them jabs. Lopez connected on only 23 of 153 attempted punches.

Lopez (33-3) would have regained the title with a win.

“It’s not that I wanted to make a statement,” Garcia said. “We just had a really good night.”

Garcia won the title from Orlando Salido in a unanimous decision in New York on Jan. 19. The title reign, however, was short-lived after Garcia didn’t make weight.

The only two losses of Lopez’s career were to Salido. The first one cost him the WBO belt, and the second led to a one-year suspension by Puerto Rican boxing officials when he accused the referee who stopped the fight of betting on the match.

Lopez had won twice since his one-year ban ended, beating Aldimar Silva Santos in February and knocking out Eugenio Lopez in an undercard bout in Mexico City in April.

Garcia’s plan was to attack early with the jab and step back from Lopez before attacking. With a majority of fans chanting his first name early, Garcia came out and landed a series of jabs in the first round.

In the second round, Garcia knocked Lopez down with a right cross. Lopez quickly rose to his feet and completed the round. Garcia finished off the 29-year-old Lopez two rounds later.

“I was able to land my jab and stand pretty comfortable,” Garcia said. “When I knocked him down, that gave me confidence that I could put him out early.”

Lopez appeared wobbly early in the fourth after Garcia landed a combination of punches. Garcia finished him off with a powerful left hook. Lopez slowly got up and referee Rafael Ramos quickly called the match.

“We executed perfectly” said Garcia’s older brother and co-trainer, Robert Garcia.

On the undercard, Terence Crawford (21-0) won the vacant NABO lightweight title, stopping Alejandro Sanabria (34-2-1) in the sixth round. Crawford dropped Sanabria with a left hook 17 seconds into the round.

Sanabria got up, but the referee called the fight to give Crawford his 16th knockout victory.

Photos: Chris Farina/Top Rank

Newly-crowned WBO world featherweight champion Mikey Garcia (31-0, 26 KOs) made a special guest appearance on the popular “ESPN Deportes – A Los Golpes” show on Monday with hosts Bernardo Osuna, Julio Cesar Chavez and David Faitelson at the ESPN studios in downtown Los Angeles. Mikey was accompanied by his trainer/father Eduardo Garcia.

The 25-year-old Garcia won the world title via eight round technical decision over Orlando “Siri” Salido at The Theater inside Madison Square Garden in New York City, knocking the reigning champion down four times.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/mikey-visits-espn-165763#more-165763

Date: January 19, 2013

WBO Featherweight Championship Title Bout

Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA

Promoter: Top Rank, K2 Promotions

Referee: Benjy Esteves Jr.

Judges:  Julie Lederman (69-79) John Stewart (69-79) Don Ackerman (70-79)

Supervisor: Francisco Valcarcel

Result: Garcia won, Salido down twice in rd 1, down in rds 3 & 4. Accidental headbutt Garcia suffers broken nose in rd 8.

By Dan Ambrose: WBO featherweight champion Orlando Salido (39-11-2, 27 KO’s) will be defending his title on January 19th against unbeaten challenger Miguel “Mikey” Garcia (30-0, 26 KO’s) at Madison Square Garden, in New York. Salido doesn’t think Garcia is going to be ready for this fight because of his lack of experience against good fighters in the past.

Indeed, the best fighter that Mikey has faced is Brandon Rios in sparring. Garcia hasn’t been in with anyone close to being as good as Salido, and sparring sessions with lightweight Rios are no substitute for the real thing. I do think Rios is a good fighter, but I don’t think he’s as skilled as Salido. He may be bigger than him, but he doesn’t punch nearly well from all the angles Salido does.

Salido said in an interview at RingTV “I believe he [Garcia] has never fought a fighter of my quality or a fighter with my experience. I think that, truly, this will be the best fighter that he has ever faced in his career.”

I think that goes without saying. The 25-year-old Garcia has been matched very carefully during his seven year career and he’s faced no one even close to being as good as Salido. The best guy that Garcia has fought during his career is Jonathan Victor Barros, and he came into the fight with Garcia last November having lost two out of his last three fights. So even when Garcia was stepped up against a better opponent, they still made sure it was someone that was badly struggling instead of someone fighting well.

The rest of Garcia’s opponents during his career have been weak 2nd tier/journeyman level opposition. Garcia has gotten into the habit of just trying to KO everyone with single shots. That’s not going to work against Salido because he’s going to have to bring something more to the table if he wants to capture his World Boxing Organization featherweight title. Garcia’s habit of throwing single shots and then standing to admire his work is going to get him beaten up in this fight unless he shows a side to his game that he’s never shown before.

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2013/01/salido-garcia-has-never-faced-anyone-like-me-before/

Sources have confirmed to BoxingScene.com that Orlando Salido will defend his WBO featherweight title against Mikey Garcia in an HBO doubleheader Nov. 10 in Las Vegas.

The 12-round Salido-Garcia fight will headline a “Boxing After Dark” doubleheader from Wynn Las Vegas & Encore Hotel.

Garcia (28-0, 24 KOs), of Oxnard, Calif., is the mandatory challenger for the Mexican champion’s WBO 126-pound crown. Salido (39-11-2, 27 KOs, 1 NC) made his most recent defense against Chile’s Moises Gutierrez (21-5, 8 KOs), whom Salido stopped in the third round July 28 in Tepic, Mexico.

The co-featured fight Nov. 10 will pit Vanes Martirosyan (32-0, 20 KOs), of Glendale, Calif., against Cuban-born southpaw Erislandy Lara (17-1-1, 11 KOs) in a 12-round, 154-pound WBC elimination match.

Top Rank Inc., which won a purse bid to promote the Lara-Martirosyan match and represents Garcia, is expected to make an official announcement regarding the doubleheader sometime next week.

By: Keith Idec

http://www.boxingscene.com/salido-garcia-lara-vanes-hbo-vegas-double-looks-set–57294

A clash between 34-year-old former WBO featherweight champion Scott Harrison (26-2-2, 15 KO’s) and former EBU lightweight champion John Murray (31-2, 18 KO’s) is possible for the undercard of the Ricky Burns vs. Kevin Mitchell bout on September 22nd in Glasgow, Scotland.

It’s a risky fight for both guys, as Harrison hasn’t fought a high level opponent in seven years, and only recently make a comeback after a 7-year layoff, beating the inexperienced Gyorgy Mizsei Jr. by a 4th round TKO last June. Going from a fight against this guy to a bout against a young and tough Murray is going to be a very dangerous bout for the rusty Harrison to take.

The fight is also a risky one for Murray, because he’s lost his last two fights against Brandon Rios and Kevin Mitchell, losing both by knockouts last year in 2011. Another loss for Murray could sink his once promising career to the point where he’ll never be able to regain the footing that he had previously.

Harrison’s manager Alex Morrison told the telegraph.co.uk “Everything is in place and all that Scott needs to do is sign the contract. He won’t get a better or a quicker chance to become a world champion again.”

Morrison is right. If Harrison can blow out Murray in an impressive fashion, he’ll be in a great position to get a title shot against WBO lightweight champion Burns in what would be a huge fight in Scotland, as both fighters come from there. At the very least, it would give Harrison a nice payday no matter what happens in that fight.

The Murray fight should give Harrison a good gauge of where his skills are at. If he struggles to beat Murray then it suggests that he may be in over his head in a fight against Burns.

By: William Mackay

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2012/08/scott-harrison-vs-john-murray-possible-for-burns-mitchell-undercard-on-september-22nd/