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Photo credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
WBC super featherweight champion Oscar Valdez 30-0 (23) is once again about to enter the ring as an underdog when he takes on WBO boss Shakur ‘Fearless’ Stevenson 17-0 (9) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday night.
The 31-year-old Valdez of Mexico claimed the green belt against Miguel Berchelt 38-3 (34) in Las Vegas last year with a 10th round highlight reel knockout. Berchelt was down in rounds four, nine and 10 but it was Valdez who entered the bout as the underdog.
“Even though I had a very tough challenge against Miguel Berchelt, this is the toughest and biggest fight of my career because Shakur has been talking for quite some time,” Valdez said.
“Here we go again. The odds are against me and everyone thinks that he will walk all over me, but just like against Berchelt, I will use that as motivation.
“I know I have a tough fight in front of me, but this is not something that I haven’t done before. I have worked very hard in the gym, and as always, I’m going to give it my best and leave it all in the ring. Like we say in Mexico, I’m willing to die on the line just to win. That’s all that matters to me.”
Southpaw Stevenson of Newark, New Jersey has been vocal about his desire to face Valdez and is teeming with confidence ahead of the bout.
“He is the type of fighter that talks a lot and is always running his mouth on social media, but I’m not like that. I let my fists do the talking,” Valdez said.
“He is the type of fighter that is not willing to go to war. I’m the type of fighter that always wants to give the fans what they want. Since he is not willing to give the fans what they want, this will be more of a chess match. It will be a more technical fight. The smartest fighter inside the ring will win.
“For this kind of challenge, I prepared myself very well physically, but more importantly mentally.
“Ever since I was a kid, I have dreamed of being the main event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. It just sounds beautiful. Sounds like you made it. This is the major leagues. I’m very excited. I’m enjoying every moment. I’m enjoying this journey of greatness.
“When I win this fight, I will be one step closer to being on the pound-for-pound list and more importantly, I will be a step closer to accomplishing my dream of being considered one of the best fighters in Mexican boxing history.
“I want my name to be among all these great Mexican fighters, like [Erik] Morales, [Marco Antonio] Barrera, [Juan Manuel] Marquez and [Julio Cesar] Chavez. For that to happen, I need to win this fight.”
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