TAKE note of the name: Edwin Valero. It might not mean much to anyone who isn’t a diehard boxing fan, but the 27-year-old Venezuelan is fast earning recognition as the most exciting fighter since Mike Tyson exploded on the scene.
Last weekend, Valero destroyed Antonio Pitalua to capture the vacant WBC lightweight title and take his astonishing record to 25 wins from 25 contests, all inside the distance, 18 in the first round.
Pitalua managed to last into the second round — but only just. The sound of the bell was just fading when southpaw Valero missed with a left, then dropped the Columbian veteran with a short right hook.
Pitalua beat the count, only to be beaten down twice more before referee Laurence Cole mercifully called a halt after 49 seconds of the round.
It was a hugely impressive American debut for Valero, now a two-time world champion after previously holding the WBA super-featherweight belt. His latest victim may have been 39 years of age, but he came into the fight with 14 straight stoppage wins.
“I really demonstrated that there is a lot of power in both of my hands,” said Valero.
“I knew as soon as he made a mistake, I could land one good punch and he would go. Not only him, but anybody I hit.”
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum announced that his newest world champion is ready to take on any of the big names. Priority would be a unification clash with WBA and WBO champion Juan Manuel Marquez.
“I believe in my heart that Edwin Valero is the best lightweight in the world,” said Arum. “Marquez may challenge that, but he’s always talking about fighting Manny Pacquiao. Let him fight this guy first.”
Monster
Valero said he would love a shot at Pacquiao, whom he refers to as “the so-called monster from the Philippines”, or Ricky Hatton if he wins next month’s showdown with Pacquiao.
“I would be happy to fight one of those guys at 140 pounds and then come back down to lightweight,” he said. “At 140 pounds, I can hit just as hard and I can be just as fast. I think I am much faster than those guys.”
Some observers say that Valero could be getting above himself. They point to his wide-open guard and his habit of sticking his chin in the air when he attacks, but so far no one has been able to take advantage of these weaknesses. They have been too busy trying to defend themselves.
Then there are experts, like Nevada’s Dr Margaret Goodwin, who believe the Venezuelan should not be allowed to fight anywhere because of concerns about his health.
In 2003, a routine brain scan after a fight revealed an abnormality. Valero was discovered to have a hole at the back of his skull, the legacy of a motorcycle accident two years earlier.
As a consequence, he was denied a licence to box anywhere in the United States, and he had his next 15 bouts in destinations such as Japan, France, Venezuela, Panama, Mexico and Argentina.
Texas became the first state to licence him, giving the go-ahead for last weekend’s bout to take place in Austin, and now Valero will seek permission to fight elsewhere in the US.
“He has gone through extensive testing,” explained his former promoter, Richard Schaefer.
“Texas obviously feels there is enough due diligence to keep him safe. I know other states feel quite different.”
A July defence of Valero’s newly acquired WBC title is planned, but Bob Arum commented: “It will be hard to find someone brave enough to fight him. After all, who wants to be No 26 on the Hit Parade?”
