For sure boxing would suffer losing a ring participant who holds immense potential at making the sport alive and beautiful to watch after Pacquiao.
Once a poor wandering boy on the streets of Merida, Venezuela, the young Edwin Valero often found himself embroiled in streets hand to hand fights; he would knock opposing lesser kids down. Having discovered the natural force and power loaded in his hands, he decided to join professional boxing for obvious reasons ? for fame which is a common desire of each and every human being; the other was to free himself and his immediate family from the poignant bondage of poverty. His father was a truck driver and if my memory served me right, Edwin?s mother is plain housewife.
Most human inhabitants of this world aspire for excellence but very few ends up attaining it; this apparently collective failure plaguing humankind is at large caused by one?s blunder in the first place as to where to put himself/herself suitably underneath the sun. Any human enterprise not carefully thought out before embarking and plunging on it is primary reason why most people failed to make most out of their lives. It is kind of similar to somebody who is destined to play basketball but frequents the soccer field. But for Edwin Valero in his formative years, it was not the case. He made the right spot as where to place himself and send strong ripples round the world that he exists. Now he stays undefeated in 27 wins; the first 18 of which were acquired not lasting the opening round, breaking the 15 consecutive first – round KO?s recorded a hundred years ago, in 1905, by Young Otto. Valero did it on February 25, 2006. Edwin Valero’s feat did not last long however as it was broken by Tyrone Brunson on June 2007 in a victory over Jamie Waru in New Zealand, but the latter?s record – breaking achievement is highly criticized because of the apparent cherry-picking of opponents done for the sole intention of breaking the former?s.
Along the course to bagging in the 27 all knockout wins, Valero became the WBA super featherweight champion on August 5, 2006 by knocking out Vicente Mosquera of Panama. After a couple of successful and impressive defenses, he relinquished the crown and moved up the lightweight division, winning the WBC lightweight title by stopping Antonio Pitalua in the 2nd round on April 4, 2009.
Because of his impressive and stunning habit of hammering down every opposition that hinders his relatively trouble-free ascent to the zenith of boxing prominence, Valero has been a subject of argument among boxing authorities and fans around the world. His pugilistic triumph is being questioned on account of the quality of ring antagonism he faced; as per the record he has not faced and beaten someone of established name, thus easily knocking his opponents out with his all-out attack style argued his critics. His perceptible irresponsibility at defense while he launches his haymakers adds up to the argument maintained by his unbelievers. He flings his punches as wide as a rusty gate, said Michael Marley once of him, a few years back.
On the contrary and on account of his power and gallantry, Valero has gathered supporters of his own nevertheless, and gradually managed to sway many people previously drowning in unbelief to his side after stopping the worthy challenger in Antonio DeMarco on February 2010. Prior to the fight many people were of the opinion Valero would struggle or even succumb to the taste of his first defeat, but the gritty Venezuelan ran over his Mexican opponent like a bus colliding with an automobile.
With his recently imposing victory, Valero?s name reverberated in the consciousness of the global public afresh; this time more noticed and resounding that many went into serious consideration of him being a real threat to the current pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao. A few years back Valero had been calling Pacquiao for a showdown but due unfavorable boxing politics back then, he failed to acquire a fight with the most exciting and lucrative fighter in the planet today. The prospect of the Pacquiao ? Valero face off was being ridiculed upon in consideration of Pacquiao?s lofty status and confirmed superiority over the then novice, but equally thrilling Valero. In addition, Valero is banned from fighting on US soil due to a head injury incurred during a motorcycle accident in his native Venezuela, putting him at a great disadvantage to certify himself as one of the forces to reckon with when it comes to boxing.
However his defeat of DeMarco proved Valero a vastly improved fighter in both offense and defense area, propelling his class and popularity a notch closer to Pacquiao. Therefore he was able to place himself on collision course up against the big fishes he has been longing to have a date with like Juan Manuel Marquez, Timothy Bradley and Manny Pacquiao himself.
Bad thing, Valero already waiting for the big fights with which a victory would thrust him to greater global fame and riches he fall victim to his very self. A character problem appears to eclipse his fighting talent. Just a week ago, he was accused for allegedly beating his wife, Jennifer Carolina, with which she was hospitalized for multiple bruises and a collapsed lung. Visiting the hospital, Valero was reported to be belligerent and hostile towards doctors and other medical staff attending his wife and for that he was taken into Police custody. He denied committing such a grievous domestic hostility, explaining she suffered from an accidental fall down a flight of stairs, which was subsequently corroborated by Jennifer herself, acquitting Valero from possible stint behind bars. Not everybody was convinced, though, expectedly.
Also it can be recalled; Valero was once accused for allegedly beating his mother and sister but was immediate at getting away with it when the accusation was belied by the supposed victims themselves. Whatever the truth underlying these accusations and his exoneration from them, Valero admitted to having trouble with alcoholism and drug abuse. He has been cleared to fight in Texas; in fact the Pitalua fight was held in Austin. Unfortunately his penchant at binge drinking has brought him trouble traveling to the US yet again when he was arrested in Texas due a traffic malfeasance related to his driving under heavy influence of alcohol.
Soon after becoming free from legal trouble associated to his wife, it was reported by Johnny Gonzales of BoxingScene.com from Venezuela that he asked for professional assistance and is now bound to undergo full time psychiatric rehabilitation for a period of 30 days to 6 months; Valero was transported to a psychiatric center in San Juan de Dios wearing helmet and bullet proof vest due to anonymous threats to his life.
If ever there is truth after all against Valero?s harassing his wife and other members of his immediate family, such a grave act of domestic violence is unquestionably below the belt and for which he deserve due punishment. But for sure boxing would suffer losing a ring participant who holds immense potential at making the sport alive and beautiful to watch after Pacquiao. In the meantime boxing would have to wait for while Valero is fighting his rather despicable off – ring self. May he come out triumphant and hurriedly resume his impressive life in the squared ring yet again.
