Oscar Valdez Dusts Off Ring Rust, Beats Jayson Velez Via TKO
Although it appeared he was holding back, Oscar Valdez knew he needed to impress if he were to face WBC Junior-Lightweight Champion Miguel Berchelt. The former world champion was able to stop Jayson Velez (29-7-1) for the first time in his career, needing all ten rounds to win via TKO.
Inside the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas, Valdez (28-0) ended Top Rank’s run with mid-week fight cards inside the “Bubble” with a bang.
“Miguel Berchelt is the fight I want. He has the WBC title at 130 pounds. I want the WBC title. Miguel and I would make for a great fight,” Valdez said. “Velez was everything I expected, a tough warrior who fought his heart out. I commend him for a great performance and a great fight.”
With Eddy Reynoso as his trainer, Valdez showed glimpses of his old self. He hit several rights and left overhand shots, a theme of the night. Velez would fight back with rights to the body and would try and reach in. Valdez ended up unloading and cutting him off throughout the night. He would use his power hooks on the left side to land solid shots.
Even though Reynoso is known to properly guide solid fighters, it felt as if Valdez was waiting for the perfect shot. Reaching for the overhand, it took a while for Valdez to find his true power. Lefts were landing but not to the extent many may be used to. He would hit tight shots as Velez was going towards the body. It was noticed by the end of the fourth and start of the fifth that he was showing more defense than offense.
The middle of round five is where things got interesting. Valdez would hit counter lefts and then would hit an outside left hook that knocked Velez down.
.@oscarvaldez56 ERUPTS late in Round 5 and floors Jayson Velez 👀#ValdezVelez | LIVE NOW on ESPN pic.twitter.com/7LnJvJFBu2
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) July 22, 2020
He would continue his aggressiveness as he landed combination left and right-hand shots. Through the next few rounds, Velez would hit low blows that resulted in points deducted. It was the most damage Valdez would sustain.
Valdez managed to increase his production, if only for a little. By round ten, CompuBox had him landing 121 shots compared to Velez’s 60. He would add onto it, as Valdez landed several left hook shots to the body and face of Velez. Following a left hook to the temple, Valdez hit another that put Velez down. The referee saw a wobbled Velez and called the fight off in favor of Valdez.
It’s all about how you finish. 😤🇲🇽#ValdezVelez | @oscarvaldez56 pic.twitter.com/mVpPUvP8bG
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) July 22, 2020
Before the referee called the fight off, the judges scored the contest in favor of Valdez, 89-80, 85-84, 88-81.
Valdez, the former WBO Featherweight Champion, last fought in November, beating Adap Lopez via TKO. He now has 22 wins via some form of knockout.
Velez has now lost two in a row. His seventh loss, Velez is 3-3 in his last six fights.