LAS VEGAS – Many expected Saturday’s WBC lightweight title fight between Miguel Berchelt and Oscar Valdez to be a back-and-forth fight between two Mexican wrestlers. As it turned out, the violence was for the most part the only movement.
Valdez (29-0, 23 KOs), a former WBO featherweight and two-time Olympic starter, scored a significant offense against Berchelt (38-2, 34 KOs) at the MGM Grand, swinging him with a hook left in the final the second round of the 10th in an immediate favorite to eliminate the match of the year.
Valdez, who entered the fight as an underdog plus-240, claimed Berchelt’s WBC title and earned the biggest win of his career.
The astonishing blow of the walk could have overshadowed the fact that Valdez, much younger, dominated the fight. He scored knockouts in the fourth and 10th rounds and was well ahead of all three judges’ scorecards at the time of finishing.
The judges had Valdez, who was born in Mexico but grew up in Arizona, 89-80, 88-81 and 87-82.
Berchelt, whose only other professional loss came through TKO in 2014, stayed on his back for a few minutes, but eventually managed to stay and stay with assistance.
The left hook and the jab were Valdez’s offensive choice, as he was skilled against Berchelt’s aggression. He had removed Berchelt from the first round as he entered and exited with the jab, then caught him with his left hook on top. Berchelt looked as if he wanted to counteract his signature power, but he never looked comfortable with Valdez’s skill and speed.
In the third round, Berchelt more or less followed Valdez around the ring. The third round ended with Berchelt running after him and throwing forward with blows.
Although it was not the strategy with which Berchelt came out, he had his moments. He scored with strong blows on Valdez’s body and looked like he could turn the tide in the seventh, while Valdez repeatedly tied him in clinches to slow down the pace.
But in the eighth, Valdez returned to his efficient work and made Berchelt miss along the ropes.
The 10th round was brilliant for Valdez, as he opened with combinations and made the referee watch Berchelt closely. The left hook of the walk proved to be a suitable end.
Valdez beat Berchelt 149-99 in total fists and 103-64 in power fists, according to CompuBox.
Victoria, who is Valdez’s third consecutive 130-pound appearance, could set up a slightly junior title fight between Valdez and Top Rank’s Shakur Stevenson (15-0, 8 KOs). participated on Saturday inside the “balloon” and expressed interest in taking over Valdez. Top Rank President Todd DuBoef said he would like to organize a fight between the two undefeated heavyweights.