Oscar Valdez’s victory over Scott Quigg on March 10th on a rainy night at the StubHub Center came at quite a cost.

Valdez – facing a Quigg who didn’t even try and make the featherweight limit and came in heavy and thus ineligible to win the WBO featherweight title – suffered a fractured jaw, which hospitalized him for a few days after the fight.

When asked how his fighter was doing, manager Frank Espinoza told BoxingScene.com – “Since his fight he’s been back to the doctor four times in two-and-a-half months. His progress has come along well. The wire that was in his jaw has been removed so he’s now able to eat solid food. We have periodic checks with the doctor. He’ll be back there in June for another check-up.”

It’s unclear if Valdez (the reigning WBO 126-pound titlist) will return to the ring in 2018.

“That’s solely up to the doctors discretion, it’s his call,” said Espinoza, who makes it clear that Valdez’s return to the ring will not be handled recklessly.

“Listen, he’s had 36 hard, tough rounds and now after suffering a serious injury to his jaw, I have a responsibility to my client to do what’s right for him and his long-term future. He’s the type of guy that will literally fight anybody – as he showed back in March – and there will be plenty of time to make the big fights in the featherweight division but for the time being we will take the appropriate fights to bring Oscar back.”

The 27-year old Valdez (24-0, 19 KO’s) won the WBO strap in the summer of 2016 by blasting out Matias Rueda in two rounds and has made three successful title defenses.

“Oscar will be back stronger and better than ever and he’ll be involved in some of the best fights in the division but again, there will be a process in getting there. That’s my job as a manager to do what’s in his best interest,” stated Espinoza.

Article by Steve Kim / News Editor for BoxingScene.com / Photo by Mikey Williams / Top Rank

https://www.boxingscene.com/oscar-valdez-manager-gives-status-on-injury-ring-return–128440

 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 Miguel Rivera

At the negotiating table is the potential showdown between World Boxing Organization Junior Featherweight champion Jessie Magdaleno and mandatory challenger Cesar ‘Corazón’ Juarez of Mexico, tentatively scheduled for October 31.

Luis Zápari, promoter of Juarez, reveals that an agreement is in place, but some details are missing, such as the television network and the venue, which is why Juárez is already preparing in Mexico City for his second championship fight.

Juarez has previously challenged for a title against Nonito Donaire in Puerto Rico and that resulted in tough defeat for him – in one of the better fights of the year.

Magdaleno (25-0, 18 KO’s), who is managed by Frank Espinoza and promoted by Top Rank, won the WBO Junior Featherweight title from Donaire in an exciting fight that he fought with a touch of intelligence and boxing ability.

“The fight is almost done, we spoke to the promoter, the fighters have agreed and only the signatures are missing. There are details to solve but it seems that the most important thing is already done,” Zápari said to ESPN Deportes. “The fight will take place in the United States, but that’s no problem because Cesar will go anywhere to fight for the championship.”

Magdaleno’s first defense was made in April when he knocked out Adeilson Dos Santos of Brazil at the Stub Hub in Carson, California, in two rounds, and now it is now time for him to satisfy the mandatory fight against the highest ranked challenger as ordered by the WBO.

Juarez, meanwhile, is 20-5 with 15 KOs, and would arrive with a three-win streak after being beaten by Donaire in December 2015 and then by Giovanni Delgado unexpectedly in March 2016.

However, he recovered by knocking out top rated Filipino Albert Pagara.

If a deal is reached, there is a big possibility that the fight will be broadcast on ESPN, thanks to the agreement reached by the legendary promoter Bob Arum and the international sports channel.

www.boxingscene.com/jessie-magdaleno-vs-cesar-juarez-clash-close-october–118775?print_friendly=1

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By:  Miguel Maravilla –

Undefeated WBO world champions featherweight Óscar Valdez (22-0, 19 KOs), from Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, Mazatlan, Mexico’s super middleweight Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (34-0, 24 KOs), and super bantamweight champ Jessie Magdaleno (24-0, 17 KOs) of Las Vegas held an L.A. press conference Tuesday morning at the Manhattan Beach, Marriott to officially announce their upcoming title defenses taking place Saturday April 22, at the Stub Hub Center in Carson, California live on Pay Per View. Also present at the press conference was 2016 U.S Olympic Silver medalist Shakur Stevenson of New Jersey.

Opening up the press conference was Hall of Fame Promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank.

“The fighters we will be showcasing on April 22nd are the brightest of Stars,” Arum said. 

Oscar Valdez and his team introduced by manager Frank Espinoza

“Headlining this event means a lot to me. We put in the time and working hard for this fight. Miguel Marriaga is a tough fighter. We will do whatever it is to come out on top. Whatever I have to do to win, I will do that night,” Valdez said.

“My boys will be ready on April 22nd. They said Oscar hasn’t fought a hard puncher but I don’t think they have faced a fighter like Oscar before,” Trainer Manny Robles said.

“April 22nd, Valdez defends his title against Marriaga. Oscar welcomes him and is up for the challenge. On April 22nd you don’t want to miss this fight,” Manger Frank Espinoza

Valdez will be making his second defense of his title against NABO champion and number one contender Miguel Marriaga (25-1, 21 KOs) of Columbia. Marriaga and his team were also present.

“We have been working and now the time has come. I am well prepared for this fight and will come in 100 percent for this fight,” Marriaga said.

“Valdez and Marriaga will be a fight to remember. Stub Hub Center has always had great fights and this will live up to that. We are looking forward to it,” Manager Ruben Zavala said.

Gilberto Ramirez will be making the first defense of his WBO super middleweight title against Maksim Bursak (33-4-1, 15 KOs), of Kiev, Ukraine.

“I am really happy to be back. I have been training really hard. This will be a good fight. Max Bursak is a good fighter and this will be a good fight,” Ramirez said speaking English

“We have a lot of confidence in Gilberto that this will be a good year. April 22nd, he will comeback to please the fans. This will be his year,” Manager Jesus Zappari said.

Jessie Magdaleno will defend his title against Brazil’s Adeilson Dos Santos (18-2, 14 KOs).

“It feels good to be back and defend my title. April 22nd you will see another great Magdaleno. We are here to give everyone what they want to see, a great night of boxing,” Magdaleno said.

“Jessie Magdaleno will defend his title for the first time in a matchup you want to see. He will step in the ring to showcase and you will witness Magdaleno defend for the first time,” Co-Manager Frank Espinoza Jr. said.

Shakur Stevenson will be making his pro debut on the April 22 card at Stub Hub as he was introduced by Arum and also spoke at the press conference

“Let me introduce you to a young man that will be a superstar the way Ray Leonard and Oscar De La Hoya were,” Bob Arum said in introducing Stevenson to the local media.

“I am excited to be making my debut and I cant wait to entertain my fans,” Shakur Stevenson said.

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www.fightnews.com/Boxing/top-rank-ppv-press-conference-396690#more-396690

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By Ronnie Nathanielsz –

Former three division world champion Vic Darchinyan is seeking to avenge his stunning 5th round knockout by four division champion and  2012 “Fighter of the Year” Nonito “The Filipino Flash” on July 7, 2007 when they face off in a rematch at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas on November 10, Manila Time.

Darchinyan’s manager Frank Espinoza told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard  that Darchinyan was “doing very well in training” and works out at the Glendale Boxing Gym in California.

He said since the fight will be a ten round, featherweight bout Darchinyan has no problems making the weight. It will be the first 126 pound fight for both Donaire and Darchinyan.

Espinoza told the Standard that Darchinyan “is getting ready and is looking for redemption. He has waited six years for this fight and wants to take advantage of the chance to avenge the loss of his IBF and IBO flyweight belts to Donaire.”

The manager said Darchinyan has been sparring with former two-time Mexican Olympian Oscar Valdez who has a record of six knockouts in six wins as a pro and became the first Mexican Youth World Champion.

Espinoza reported that another sparring mate of Darchinyan is undefeated Australian IBO super  featherweight champion Will Tomlinson who has a record of  21-0-1 with 12 knockouts..

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told us last Monday before his return to the US after checking on Manny Pacquiao’s training for the showdown with Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios in Macau on November 24 noted that Donaire will have a tough fight on his hands against Drachinyan “who really launched Donaire’s career” when he lost in July 2007.

Arum described his Corpus Christi event as “a great card” with former WBO featherweight champion Mikey Garcia who he said “is a sensational fighter” going up against Ramon “Rocky” Martinez for the Puerto Rican’s junior lightweight title in the main event which Arum indicated “should be a terrific fight”  and Vanes Martirosyan fighting for the vacant  junior middleweight title against Demetrius  Andrade with undefeated Jamaican Nicholas Walters (22-0, 18 KO’s) taking on Alberto Garza (25—5-1, 20 KO’s)  of Mexico for the WBO featherweight title.

Meantime, Donaire who has been working out at trainer Robert Garcia’s gym in Oxnard has had his father, Nonito “Dodong” Donaire Sr also helping in preparing Nonito for his first fight as a featherweight and by all indications Donaire Sr has been a welcome addition to the training camp.

Arum said that during a meeting with ABS-CBN’S Gabby Lopez and Peter Musgni  he was told that the giant broadcast network “is going to take all four fights.”

http://www.boxingscene.com/vic-darchinyan-looking-redemption-with-donaire–71125

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Three-time world boxing champion, Joseph King Kong Agbeko, is on the verge of another major title opportunity after joining the camp of respected management syndicate, Espinoza Boxing.

The deal, struck last week in the United States, has almost guaranteed the “Fresh King” a date with WBA and WBO super-bantamweight champion, Guillermo Rigondeaux, for a potential unification bout.

“So far, to my knowledge, I can confirm that the fight is almost done right now. My manager is still negotiating and I believe he is going to get me the right fights,” Agbeko said after signing the deal.

“I fought a few fighters who were managed by Espinoza, and I admire how he treats his boxers. He has a very good reputation, and he is one of the most influential managers in the boxing world right now I’m proud to be part of Espinoza Boxing,” he added.

If the fight materialises, it will confirm Agbeko’s upward movement from the bantamweight division where he still holds the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) title.

It signifies an escape route to some financial satisfaction from Frank Espinoza, Agbeko having broken up with the famed Don King Promotions sometime last year.

“At this point of my career, it is very important for me to just focus on my training and just keep on fighting. I am just going to leave the rest of the business to my manager, Frank Espinoza so I can focus on my training and take care of business in the ring. I am definitely going to return into the ring in December,” noted a confident Agbeko.

“I feel like I am born again, I feel like am just starting my career. The most important feeling I have right now is that I have the hunger that I had in me when I turned professional.

“I feel like I am beginning my career and I can’t wait to get back into the ring to win a world title at the super-bantamweight (division),” he stated.

Agbeko, who ruled the bantamweight class under the International Boxing Federation (IBF), has endured difficult times recently, including a controversial loss to Abner Mares.

“I just want to thank God for what I’ve passed through this few years. I thank Him for all that He has given me and all that He has taken away from me. He has prepared my heart for the future and I will make good use of that lesson,” he said.

http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/artikel.php?ID=287862