Valdez climbing closer to title shot, superstardom

Boxing's featherweight division doesn't lack for star power.

Witness the recent battle in Los Angeles between Leo Santa Cruz and Abner Mares, which Santa Cruz won amid boffo ratings on ESPN.

Oscar Valdez sees himself as part of that scene, and the Mexican Olympian appears headed in the direction toward superstardom. He's 16-0 with 14 knockouts but will be tested tonight as he faces veteran Chris Avalos in the 10-round main event of Top Rank's fight card at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas that will be nationally televised on truTV.

"It's a big step for me in my career," Valdez said. "I trained expecially hard for this fight. I did 130 rounds of sparring. But I don't feel like I overtrained. But I'm sure (Avalos) didn't train as hard as I did."

Valdez has fought some as a super featherweight, but he believes his immediate future is at 126 pounds, where some very good fighters are plying their trade.

"I think that's the best place for me right now," he said. "I watched the (Mares-Santa Cruz) fight, and it was a great fight. I would love to face either of those guys."

Manuel Robles, who trains Valdez, said as long as his fighter can make 126 pounds, that's the best place for him.

"He handles his weight very well," he said. "His speed and power are there."

Robles said the key to winning tonight will be for Valdez to use his speed and quickness and make sure his jab is working from the opening bell against Avalos (26-3, 19 KOs).

"We want to be first," he said. "(Avalos) likes to fight inside, so we want to be able to counter him. That's where the jab comes in. We want to use the jab to give Oscar space to operate and outbox this guy."

Valdez said it's important to not just win tonight because he's fighting on national television, but to move up in the rankings and get himself in position for a world title shot. He is ranked No. 2 by the World Boxing Organization, No. 13 by the International Boxing Federation and No. 14 by the World Boxing Council.

"I know that I'm getting close to fighting for a world title," Valdez said. "But I also know I have to show everyone that I am getting better and that when I do get that opportunity is because I can compete and win at that championship level."

First bell for the card is 5 p.m. The truTV telecast begins at 7 p.m.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj