Valdez: New WBO Interim Junior Lightweight Champion

Saturday, March 30, 2024

GLENDALE, Arizona — The desert was set to play host to an action-packed world title twofer at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.

In the main event, Mexican two-weight world champion Oscar Valdez (32-2, 24 KOs) defeated Australian puncher Liam Wilson (13-2, 7 KOs), via 7th round RTKO to win the vacant WBO Interim junior lightweight world title.

After trying to find his distance in the opening round, Valdez began controlling the action by launching a quick jab, blocking and slipping any counters and looking for left hooks.

Wilson had more success by keeping his distance, but Valdez was able to lure him into punching range. In the sixth round, both stood toe-to-toe, where Valdez connected with left hooks to the body and right hooks to the side of Wilson’s head.

By the following round, Valdez had worn Wilson out, who stopped responding to Valdez’ onslaught and forced referee Mark Nelson to halt the action at 2:48.

Valdez said, “This victory means a lot. I proved a lot of people wrong again. People said ‘You’re thirty-something. You’re done. You got your jaw broken. You got your rib broken.’ But I refused to believe that.

“I told him {Liam} to not give up. I lost as well. It doesn’t mean you’re done in the sport. I’m a good example. He almost got me. He almost got ‘Vaquero.’ He almost became a world champion. I have nothing but respect for Liam Wilson and his team.”

Wilson said, “That’s how boxing goes. I tried to box in the first few rounds, but my heart got the better of me. These are the kind of fights I dreamed of since I was a kid. But, I’ve got to learn from this and start using my boxing brain.

“Oscar is a true champion, and I’m very proud to have shared the ring with him. It’s still early in my career. I have plenty to go. I’m young. I’ll be back.”