Oscar Valdez rallies to defeat Robson Conceicao

Fighting (even though he shouldn’t have been) after testing positive twice for a banned substance, WBC super featherweight champion Oscar Valdez retained his title with a 12-round decision over Robson Conceicao at Casino Del Sol in Tucson, AZ, Friday night.

The scores were 117-110 and 115-112 twice.

Valdez (30-0, 23 KOs) began the fight jabbing. Conceicao (16-1, 8 Kos) countered. He went to the body. Valdez fired back. Conceicao, who won a decision over Valdez at the 2009 Pan American Games, popped more jabs. The round was close.

In round two, the taller Conceicao came out punching. He clipped Valdez with combinations. He was beating Valdez to the punch. Valdez was looking to land his left hook but couldn’t get close enough. Valdez went to the body.

Valdez,30, tried to get off first in round three. Conceicao ate a big right from Valdez, but the challenger wasn’t going anywhere. He stabbed Valdez with lefts. The defending champion fired a right to the ribs.

Conceicao,32, clipped Valdez with a check hook in round four. His jab was giving Valdez major problems. Valdez went up and down. Conceicao, the busier fighter, connected with an uppercut.

In round five, both fighters landed solid shots. Conceicao was fighting confidently. Valdez tried to make something happen in round six - unleashing a left and right. Conceicao moved to his left and right. Valdez clocked Conceicao with a combination.

Through six rounds, the fight was close. Valdez found Conceicao with his jab in round seven. Conceicao scored with a hook. Valdez landed a right. And seconds later a sweet left hook.

Conceicao started the eighth round well by landing jabs. Valdez chased him and fired back. He landed a right off the temple and liver shots. The hometown hero had wrestled control of the fight away from Conceicao.

In round nine, Valdez moved inside with purpose. Conceicao picked and moved. Valdez kept working downstairs. Conceicao was deducted a point for a “tap “behind the head. A ridiculous decision by the referee.

Valdez connected with a solid shot to the head. Conceicao cracked Valdez with a hard left hook in round 10. Valdez chased and fought back with his own right. Conceicao clipped Valdez with a counterblow. Valdez landed a left hook. A Conceicao blow opened up a cut on the left cheek of Valdez.

Rounds 11 and 12 were intense and competitive. Conceicao jabbed. The relentless Valdez stalked and rocked. His blows to the body and head were heavier. The blood didn’t bother him. Conceicao fought like he had the bout in the bag. Think again, Robson.

“I been through a hard week,” said two-division champion Valdez. “We won the fight.”