That’s about as succinct as it can be put. The fight was won on a lot of levels by Valero but, most importantly, it wasn’t lost because of one very important aspect. When Valero got cut, at first it seemed like a big punch hurt him and he was acting the fool walking it off.. But when he turned and I saw the red curtain on the right side of his face, I figured either the fight was over due to the cut or that Valero would unravel. He did neither and instead, stepped up his game and took it right at DeMarco as he had before, but more intensely. That moment, more than any other in the fight, defined the action. DeMarco had a big bloody target in front of him, a man untested, and the reach advantage to be a huge problem. Instead, he fought small, let Valero dictate the action and never sustained an attack long enough to get any respect or momentum.
From the way Valero didn’t even blink at the first cut and then rebounded from the second, I’d agree he does not give a f*#k. Humberto Soto says he wants him. Man, I’d love to see it.
Valero is such an entertaining fighter, I believe he can be built up in Mexico. Bring fringe names like Soto or solid-but-fading names like Juan Diaz to Mexico and you’ll sell some tickets and build a south-of-the-border Pacquiao. Maybe the money a fight with Valero could generate in Texas will get him his visa back. But Mexico is as solid place as any to have Valero fight right now. The way he fights, people will come. As soon as I finish those Krav Maga lessons, I’ll go, too.
Nice call, Asim.
The Wayback Machine
Gabe,
I want to know what background info you have on this fight that you didn’t want to share in your Friday Mailbag. For years, I’ve held that fight in HIGH REGARD because Floyd really impressed me in that fight. But now you have me interested (and slightly concerned)...
Big Lo
Lo-
It’s nothing major at all. Just that Diego Corrales, when he fought Floyd, had a lot of trouble with both weight and focus. He was about to head off to jail because of a domestic battery case involving his then-wife, who was pregnant. As I have moved along in my career, I’ve come along a number of people who say the same things about that fight. “Diego’s head wasn’t in it.”
Does it take away from Floyd’s brilliant performance? Not really. Would “Chico” have won had he been “100%”? I don’t know. Probably not. The styles dictated that fight. Tough, slow-footed, but crisp power puncher vs. fleet-footed, slick, defensive-minded, brilliant counter-puncher.
I don’t think the math was that hard on this one but the mental and consequently physical state Corrales was in always makes me wish what would’ve happened in a rematch or something.
“EDWIN VORHEES”
Valero did what I expected him to do and that is stalk stalk stalk until his timid opponent breaks down. Demarco came out with a commanding jab and had Valero head looking like a bobble head doll. However after he realized Valero wasn’t going no place, he became discouraged. Valero gets elbowed and cut in like 3 different places, and still was the aggressor lol His face look like a scene from a 80’s fight. Just last year we had guys quit because they claim they couldn’t see and one guy who complains of injuries after all his fights (shouts to Clottey and Nate) so when I see a guy go through a brick wall for a win, I’m effing impressed!
That being said, I’m not buying Valero have become a complete boxer just yet. He was found easily in that fight at times. He still throw predictable punches. That being said, they’re no JMM left in that division, so who has the poise and discipline to beat this cat? Like most horror flicks killers he gets slashed up and beat up but he still keeps stalking you: Edwin Vorhees!
Slipgamejames
QB
Welcome back James. Nice title.
Why DeMarco let go of his jab, I’ll never know. He sent Valero’s head snapping back every time he did. But it never led to getting in that left, but for a few times. I tend to think that DeMarco’s performance was dictated by Valero and not the “My body didn’t respond” explanation DeMarco gave. He had a cut and bleeding man in front of him who he couldn’t pin down and he couldn’t control. Added to which, he was the taller man.
I think this one came down to experience. Not in the ring (after all, DeMarco had 112 rounds coming into this fight to Valero’s 58), but out of it. Valero just looked the tougher man with the tougher, more imposing will.
There’s a DVD that our cameraman Brian Harty on “The Next Round” gave me. Brian has done all the video documentaries and pressers for Maxboxing.com. It’s called “The Valero Vault” and it documents him getting ready for the title fight with Vicente Mosquera. In the DVD, Valero is seen sparring Urbano Antillon, Jose Armando Santa Cruz, and someone else I forget right now.
The point is Valero seemed to have forgotten much of what he knew early on. It took DeMarco, or a fighter like him with class, toughness, a solid chin and unfavorable dimensions to make Valero use the tools he has had all along.
Now I know I picked against him. I was totally wrong. I thought DeMarco had taken the right steps and was ready. Like in the Glen Johnson/Yusaf Mack fight, I picked the winner based on what I didn’t think the other guy had. I was wrong both times for different reasons. I’ll get to Glen later. In the Valero fight, I underestimated Valero’s class as a fighter, character, and ability to turn it on when he needed it most. He was like Kobe in the fourth quarter, last night. The blood flowed and he went and got what was his. Just relentless. No one punch of his seemed to be the one. It was just a steady stream of hard shots from an unemotional warrior. Scary stuff and fun to watch.
Can you imagine if Valero, who is clearly willing to take on anyone on the planet (Just look into his eyes.. Or shake his hand. But be careful. The man does not know his own strength), built to the point where Pacquiao/Valero in Estadio Azteca made a lot of sense? Chavez vs. Greg Haugen had over 132,247 people there. “Pac-Man” vs. “El Inca” would do some numbers. I lean toward Manny in that one.
That said, I won’t be betting against Edwin Valero anytime soon; certainly not at lightweight. Anthony Peterson vs. Valero is a great fight. Ali Funeka. I wouldn’t want to see Valero vs. Joel Casamayor. “El Cepillo” can’t win that one. The possibilities for a good fight to happen are increased exponentially when Edwin Valero is in one corner. Hopefully, we get another step-up from him in next bout. There is no more time to waste.
27-0 27 KO Chevy Nova
Hey Gabriel,
What did you think of Valero? He’s got more problems than a Chevy Nova, but he’s a lot more fun to watch. I think it’s easy to shortchange how accurate he is with his punches too. I didn’t see any punch stat totals, but his power shot percentage must have been really high. Of course DeMarco didn’t fight the right fight. Way too inactive, not enough jab, and no head movement whatsoever. A better counter puncher could have probably knocked Valero’s jaw clean off of his head the way he was hanging it out there. I think Valero is eventually going to find a guy who figures him and makes it look easy like Barrera did against Hamed or Spinks against Mayorga, but DeMarco wasn’t that guy. I don’t think Soto is that guy either, though what a great fight that would be.
Patrick, Torreon, Mexico
Well, if you’ve gotten this far, you know how I feel about Valero in terms of excitement and divisional possibilities. As a fighter though, I agree that “he’s got more problems than a Chevy Nova.” The chin is still too high at times. Like Manny Pacquiao, he squares up a bit coming in. But I like that he is a hard target at longer range. He really turns his shoulder to stay in a fencer-like position before he jabs. I love how he commits to his shots but he’s so open when he does; I worry he’ll walk into something huge someday. He damn sure proved he was tough but, at the same time, we don’t know what he would be like, had he a guy with Rogers Mtagwa’s disposition in front of him instead of “The Kid.” He’ll up the ante soon, I’m sure, and we’ll get all kinds of answers to the puzzle of Valero.
Valero’s footwork is impressive, too. He seems to be very well-balanced and has a nice power base from which he throws. Watching him, I get the same feeling I get watching James Toney, Pernell Whitaker, Manny Pacquiao or Ali. All very different guys. But the one thing they all share was a sense that they were born to do it this way. I get the same feeling when I see Guillermo Rigondeaux.. Masters at what they do and it’s all their own, for better or for worse.
I hate to be all up on Valero after picking against him or to come off like Doug: The Second Chapter. I just 1) dig southpaws because I am one and 2) love punchers. Excitement is the name of the game. KOs are the homerun and Valero is batting .1000 right now. Gotta love that.
Hooked on Rigondeaux
Gabe,
Good weekend of fights to lead us into the super bowl. Now that’s the prefect combo.
I wasn’t impressed by Glen Johnson winning by KO on FNF. That is because I wasn’t surprised. I think we (sometime..I) have short term memory when it comes to fighters. Yes Johnson looked very slow and avg. against Chad Dawson but I always thought that Bad Chad grew from the 1st encounter and added that experience to his Alpha-level talent. Yusaf Mack is far from that level. I was more surprised by how many people were picking against the old man. Even more so that Steve Kim would even say that Glen should retire if he loses. Basically "sounding" like Johnson was done as a contender. If Glen stays away from boxers that know how to ride the bike to a points dec I think he’ll be alright for a while.
I’m hooked on Guillermo Rigondeaux. He looks like he isn’t even using 50% of his talent yet. (note: I want more insider info on him)
Edwin Valero vs Marquez, Katsidis, Funeka, Soto, Guerrero = WAR!!!!
Frankie from the Bronx
You know, in retrospect, I should have gone to more tape and looked at styles, rather banking everything on how old Johnson looked against Chad Dawson in their rematch. I agree with you that Dawson grew from the first fight and applied just enough of each improvement to pull it out the second.
Yusaf Mack fought one of the dumbest fights he could have against Johnson. Here, let me stand in front of you and get in the way of your right hand, which also happens to be your best weapon. Crazy.
But good for Glen. He lives to fight again and hopefully position himself for another big payday, this time against Tavoris Cloud. That’s a great fight. I think Cloud has the goods to get Glen out of there and certainly to beat him. Hopefully we get that soon. Right now, on paper, that’s a Fight of the Year candidate.
Dude, I’m so hooked on Rigondeaux. He reminds me of that Tyson quote about “How can they challenge me with their primitive skills?” 27 seconds and a body shot and it was all over. The man didn’t even break a sweat. It’s hard to say anything but I want more. What was interesting about it was that it looked not unlike what he did in the gym. Relaxed, mixed attack. Up and down. The punches are that sharp and quick. Freddie said he had power. His problem with Rigondeaux is that he doesn’t throw enough in sparring. But Rigondeaux told me he didn’t want to take unnecessary punishment so close to a fight.
Seeing his performance, it’s clear he understands who he is as a fighter, both in and out of the ring. What we are catching at the peak and back end of his career is a master fighter. Very skilled, very smart. His people said they want a title shot in two fights. I think he’s ready by then. Maybe even now.
I agree Valero vs. anyone near 135 is a war. Who said there aren’t any more stars in boxing?
Montoya’s Weekend Fight Picks Results
At The NSU Center Arena, Miami, FL
(ESPN2) Glen Johnson (49-13-2) vs. Yusaf Mack (28-2-2): Mack by decision
Actual Result: Johnson by TKO 6
(ESPN2) Guillermo Rigondeaux (4-0) vs. Adolfo Landeros (20-12-1): Rigondeaux by TKO
Actual Result: Rigondeaux KO 1
(ESPN2) Ed “The Lion” Paredes (23-3-1) vs. Joey “Twinkle Fingers” Hernandez (15-0-1): Joey Hernandez
Actual Result: Paredes by KO 2
At The Chumash Casino, Santa Ynez, CA
(Showtime) Freddy Hernandez (27-1) vs. DeMarcus Corley (36-12-1): Hernandez by decision
Actual Result: Hernandez by KO 5
(Showtime) Francisco Contreras (12-0) vs. Juan Castaneda (16-2-1): Contreras by TKO
Actual Result: Contreras by KO 1
At Arena Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico
(Showtime) Edwin Valero (26-0) vs. Antonio DeMarco (23-1-1): DeMarco by split decision
Actual Result: Valero by RTD 10
(Showtime) Luis Abregu (28-0) vs. Richard Gutierrez (24-3-1): Abregu by late TKO
Actual Result: Abregu by UD 10
Marvin Quintero (18-2) vs. Luis Gonzalez (14-1-1): Quintero by TKO
Actual Result: Quintero by TKO 2
At The Convention Center, McAllen, TX
(FOX Sports) Brandon Rios (23-0-1) vs. Jorge Teron (23-1-1): Rios by late TKO
Actual Result: Rios TKO 3
(FOX Sports) Tomas Villa (21-6-4) vs. Juan Ruiz (23-5): Villa by TKO
Actual Result: Villa by DQ 10
Merida, Yucatán, Mexico
Jorge Solis (37-2-2) vs. Likar Ramos (21-2): Solis by late TKO
Actual Result: Solis KO 7
Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, United States
Tomasz Adamek vs. Jason Estrada: Adamek by decision
Actual Result: Adamek by UD 12
The Running Total
Right: 33
Wrong: 5
Follow Gabriel at twitter.com/Gabriel_montoya or email him at maxgmontoya@gmail.com
