Oscar Valdez has some work to do.
The former two-division titleholder was on top of the world after he put Miguel Berchelt down three times and ultimately stopped him in the 10th round to win the WBC 130-pound championship in February 2021.
It has been mostly downhill after that for the 33-year-old Mexican.
He tested positive for a banned weight-loss medication before his next fight seven months later, against Robson Conceicao, yet he was allowed to fight . He won a unanimous decision to retain his belt but his reputation was scarred.
Then things got worse. He was embarrassed by the gifted Shakur Stevenson in his subsequent bout, losing a one-sided decision that seemed to reveal his limitations.
He rebounded to outpoint Adam Lopez 11 months later only to lose another clear decision, this time against WBO beltholder and countryman Emanuel Navarrete, who outworked him in an entertaining fight last August.
Suddenly a rising star was just another fighter.
Valdez (31-2, 23 KOs) will restart the rebuilding process on Friday night, when he’s scheduled to face Liam Wilson of Australia at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona (ESPN+).
The fight will be for the WBO “interim” belt, which Boxing Junkie doesn’t recognize as a legitimate title. Navarrete remains the WBO champ.
“I’m going to be ready,” Valdez said on Wednesday. “I was preparing myself for a world championship fight. Then we got the news that it’s now for an interim title.
“So I’m more than excited and prepared, and we’re going to show that.”
Wilson (13-2, 7 KOs) is a safer opponent than either Stevenson or Navarrete, probably on the level of Lopez.
However, the 28-year-old resident of Queensland is dangerous. He proved that by decking Navarrete and hurting him before being stopped himself in nine rounds in a wild fight for the vacant WBO title in February of last year.
Wilson outpointed two second-tier opponents in Australia after his setback.
“I know Liam Wilson,” Valdez said. “He’s a tough fighter. I was there when he fought Emanuel Navarrete, and he sent him to the canvas. So you better believe that I’m coming with everything because I’m expecting that same Liam Wilson. …
“Liam Wilson is a dangerous fighter. But that makes it more exciting. And the interim title adds fuel to the fire. I’m very motivated.”
Valdez told BoxingScene.com that he would be interested in facing Vasiliy Lomachenko, assuming he wins on Friday and the Ukrainian pound-for-pounder beats underdog George Kambosos Jr. for the vacant IBF 135-pound title on May 12.
However, Valdez’s first priority is to become a champion again at 130. Defeating Wilson is the first step in that process.
“This fight [against Wilson] means everything to me because whoever wins is a step closer to a world title fight at 130 pounds,” he told the outlet. “This is my division. …
“My plan this year is to become a world champion again. But I have to win this fight first. I’m mentally preparing like it’s a world title fight.”
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