Boxingtalk recently caught up with the explosive, undefeated WBA super featherweightchamp Edwin Valero (24-0, 24 ko?s) of Venezuela. The esoteric slugger is being mentioned for Manny Pacquiao?s next title tiff – a fight between the two aggressive, free swinging southpaw dynamos would have the boxing world collectively euphoric for as long as it lasts and overwhelmed with terrific for the seconds before the first bell is rung. Read on to hear what the confident and charismatic champ had to say?
BT: Tell us about your most recent fight, a stoppage win over Takehiro Shimada?
EV: It was one of the few long fights I?ve had, seven rounds. It was a fight where, how could I explain it, it was a bit frustrating. My rival was only on the defensive, trying to survive rounds instead of fighting.
BT: It?s tough to fight someone when they only want to survive.
EV: Yes, it is. And also, because I am considered a hitter, they think I might tire or they might gain some sort of advantage in the later rounds. And it?s not that way, totally incorrect. The longer the fight goes the more punches I throw, even harder than before.
BT: Do you plan to stay at 130? EV: No, I plan to go to 135 in my next fight. BT: Have any big names been mentioned as an opponent?
EV: Check it out, my promoter has been looking over various names. Among the names is (Juan Manuel) Marquez and what?s his name, (Joel) Casamayor, (Michael) Katsidis and Nate Campbell. But that would have to be in the future because Nate Campbell is set to face Joan Guzman. [Writer?s note: The interview was conducted before the Manny Pacquiao vs. David Diaz bout.]
BT: So what do you believe separates you from the rest of the lightweights?
EV: I don?t think I have any advantage. I have my own style and my style is a very special one. I have my own strategies that I don?t enter the ring with. As soon as the first round passes, if in fact it does, then I begin to plan how to brutalize my opponent. If what I hear in the corner I can do to exact specifications then I do it, if not I do what I believe will work.
BT: After you left Los Angeles to train in Japan it seemed your technique regressed a bit. What do you think?
EV: What happened was I stopped training with Joe Hernandez, who I was with in Los Angeles. He taught me many tactics on how to get it done, this man and I, we had what I would call perfect chemistry. Everything he told me to do I did and I had tremendous technique. When I returned to Venezuela I got a trainer who didn?t tell me anything. All he did was keep time and bring me water. That?s how I began to lose some of the technique I had picked up in Los Angeles. Then I went to Japan and it was more of the same. Now I hope to improve with Mr. Kenny Adams. And really what he is teaching me are good techniques and strategies on how to conserve energy in the ring and a few other habits to benefit us.
BT: What?s going on with your licensing issues in the US?
EV: Well, as you know I was licensed in Texas and plan to fight there in October. After that fight we will begin lobbying for a license in Nevada.
BT: Your suspension came at a time when you were to get your biggest break, a fight on HBO and under Golden Boy Promotions. How frustrating is it to be on verge of breaking through and be denied a chance to showcase your talent and hard work on boxings biggest stage, the US?
EV: Yes, it frustrated me. I cried a lot and suffered for a long time, emotionally and economically in those sixteen months that I did not box in the US. I believe it was a test from god. I was strong and thanks to destiny and god that presented me Mr. Honda who offered me a contract and that?s how we did it. Thankfully this man gave me his hand and I won the championship and I?ve made four defenses. This is big, very big because my biggest dream was to have a house for my children and thank god now I do. All the extras have come thanks to god and all the sacrifices I have made, and my dedication, which is still at one hundred percent. Because there are still many more things that Edwin Valero has to demonstrate. I?m very happy and hope that the fans in the US and the Mexican fans view and embrace me as a great warrior as they like to view and that is what I want to demonstrate. That I?m a tough warrior that will not back down and keep coming forward to send the public home happy. The more the support I get from the people the harder I will fight. I hope to do that until my time comes and the younger fellows surpass me and take my post.
BT: What would you like to say in closing?
EV: I want to tell them that just like Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao and the hundreds of other fighters that were unknown and made history, I too would like to make my own history. I don?t want to call out names nor do I want anyone in particular. If a big name fighter would give me an opportunity man to man then I would accept. I need to make my own name to have my own fans and not rob other fighters fans. I want to give it my all to come out ahead for my family and send the fans home happy, because they?re the reason we eat.
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