CANCUN–If his younger stablemate Jorge Linares is a Young Frankenstein, then what do we all make of fellow Venezuelan and also unbeaten world boxing champion Edwin Valero. How about Dracula since Valero seeks quick knockouts the way the vampire always want to suck some blood out of someone?s neck?
Valero, now 23-0 with all victories by KO, showed his fangs in the bullring here Saturday night when he bulldozed game but totally overmatched Double Z, Zaid Zavaleta.
The fight was pretty forgettable as the awkward Mexican (now 15-3-3) was hurt by nearly every punch Valero threw. I had the chance to sit down and rap with King Of Swing from Merida on the bus ride back to the hotel from the arena.
I spoke to the legitimate son of Dougie Fischer through interpreter Rudy Hernandez.
The relaxed Valero was the picture of domestic tranquility as he sat next to his lovely wife and young daughter. In the seat in front of them, playing with Teiken Promotions go-to-guy, oops I mean woman Akemi Irie was Valero?s five-year-old son, Edwin Jr., who sports a nifty Prince Valiant style hairdo.
Co-promoter Lou DiBella was seated next to Ms. Irie and the champ?s son.
Valero, a playful sort who always seems to be smiling except when he goes to work in the ring, started a conversation by asking me if I have ever talked to Pinoy idol Manny Pacquiao about him.
Yes, I have, I said.
?What does Manny say?? Valero asked.
Being a blanco gorilla and perennial agitator, I fibbed a little.
?Manny told me that all your opponents have been nothing but mere tuk-tuk drivers,? I said.
I must admit that I love pouring gasoline on a fire. Sometimes you get some brilliant flames.
But Valero was slow to anger.
Instead, he smiled and responded sarcastically.
?Oh and, as far as his opponents go, Pacquiao has fought all Mike Tysons,? Valero said. ?That makes me laugh, really.?
Valero made it clear, once again as this is now news flash, that his dream fight is to be standing in the opposite corner from his similarly hard-punching, fellow lefthanded, junior lightweight.
?Pacquaio is afraid. He is afraid of me, I know this,? Valero said. ?When I hit Pacquiao, he will go down and he will not get up.?
Now, warming to the subject, Valero hurled a verbal hand grenade which is likely to set a forest fire in Pacland, where intelligent Pacman fans reside, and even more so in Wacland, where the Pacaholic lunatic fringe lives.
Valero had the nerve, the chutzpah, the temerity and the complete and utter gall to toss a rock in the direction of Coach Freddie Roach.
?Freddie Roach is even more afraid of me than Manny is,? Valero said. ?Freddie Roach is super afraid of me of me!?
There was a momentary lull in the conversation.
Then I saw Hurricane Valero smiling brightly again. He nodded to me and then to DiBella. And he held up his massive left fist.
?This one,? Valero said, ?is worth $20 million.?
He flashed the fluorescent smile that will light up American TV sets and living rooms when he gets licensed properly in Texas or elsewhere. He then clenched his ham-sized right fist.
?This one.? Valero said, ?is worth $15 million.?
A rich self-valuation from a completely confident champion to be sure.
But $35 million might look like chump change if he does what he consistently vows he can.
If Valero is the Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, if he does indeed knock out Pacquaio,
then those numbers will look trifling.
The plush bus rolled into the Grand Oasis Cancun Hotel.
Just like the Vicious Venezuelan, Edwin Valero, keeps rolling toward an inevitable showdown with Pacman.
As I noted, he?s not vicious outside of his workplace. He?s charismatic and funny. So drop the Dracula comparison.
Edwin Valero, boxing?s answer to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Which one would you prefer, Mr. Pacquaio?
