Emanuel Navarrete stops Oscar Valdez

Win, lose, or draw - Oscar Valdez is all clash and all class!!

Saturday night at the Footprint Center in Glendale, Arizona, WBO junior lightweight champion Emanuel Navarrete (39-2-1, 32 KOs) defended his belt stopping former 2-division king Oscar Valdez (32-3, 24 KOs).

Navarrete dropped Valdez in round 1 and again in round 4. The end came 2 rounds later when Navarrete iced Valdez on a body shot with 18 seconds left in the 6th round.

Navarrete is a tough assignment for anyone. He has reach, an awkward style, and an ability to load up and land shots, to the body and head, from every angle imaginable.

Saturday night, Valdez, as game and gutsy as there is in the sport, just didn’t have an answer for fellow Mexican Navarrete.

Valdez was a perfect 30-0 in as many assignments after turning pro in 2012. Now he has gone 3-2 in his last 5 with 2 losses to Navarrete and 1 to talented boxer Shakur Stevenson.

Style-wise, at this stage of his career, it’s safe to say that Valdez is what he is. And, let’s be clear that he is a talented, world champion-class fighter. But, he has a long career behind him and many tough wars on his resume. 

Despite clashing with some of the best at 125-130 pounds, in a career that has seen him bank the WBO world featherweight and super featherweight titles, the question is, what’s next? 

Valdez, visibly disappointed after the fight, did exactly what he had done in all his fights, win or lose, he showed class and respect to his opponent.

Valdez could now walk away and boast an outstanding amateur and professional resume. But, it sounds like he feels he has some more fights in him -  good news to fight fans. 

The 33-year-old Valdez, in reacting to the 1st stoppage loss in his career said, "No excuses, he beat me well," Valdez said post-fight. "I kind of messed up my ankle a little bit but no excuses. He’s a great champion. There’s a reason why he’s the champion. Awkward shots, you don’t see them coming," he said. “But again, no excuses. We’ll sit down as a team, see what is next, come back better, stronger”.