Óscar Valdez facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Óscar Valdez
Valdez in 2016
Statistics
Real name	Óscar Rafael Valdez Fierro Jr.
Rated at	Featherweight Super featherweight
Height	5 ft 5+1/2 in
Reach	66 in
Born	(1990-12-22) 22 December 1990 (age 34) Nogales, Sonora, Mexico
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	35
Wins	32
Wins by KO	24
Losses	3
Medal record Men's Boxing Representing Mexico World Amateur Championships Bronze 2009 Milan Featherweight Pan American Games Silver 2011 Guadalajara Bantamweight AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships Gold 2008 Guadalajara Featherweight Central American and Caribbean Games Gold 2010 Mayagüez Featherweight

Óscar Rafael Valdez Fierro Jr. (born 22 December 1990) is a famous Mexican professional boxer. He has been a world champion in two different weight classes. He held the WBC super featherweight title from 2021 to 2022. Before that, he was the WBO featherweight champion from 2016 to 2019.

As an amateur boxer, Óscar Valdez was very talented. He went to the 2008 Olympics when he was only 17. He also became the first Mexican Youth World Champion. Four years later, he competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics as well. Valdez is known for his exciting fighting style. He punches with a lot of power and uses quick combinations. About 72% of his wins have been by knockout.

Óscar Valdez's Amateur Boxing Career

Óscar Valdez started boxing at a young age. When he was 17, he won the bantamweight championship at the 2007 National Championships. He even beat a champion named Carlos Cuadras in the semifinals.

Olympic Dreams and Early Success

Valdez qualified for the Beijing Olympics in 2008. He earned a silver medal at the Olympic qualifier. Even though he was very young, he made it to the biggest stage in sports. In Beijing, he faced a tough opponent and lost his first fight.

In 2008, Valdez moved to a slightly heavier weight class called Featherweight. He won the first-ever 2008 Youth World Amateur Boxing Championships. This big tournament was held in his home country of Mexico. He showed off his skills by beating boxers from many different countries. In the final, he completely dominated his opponent, winning 12-0.

Making History for Mexico

In 2009, Valdez won a bronze medal at the World Amateur Championships in Milan. This was a huge achievement! He became the first Mexican boxer ever to win a medal at a World Championships.

After his success at featherweight, Valdez went back to bantamweight. He qualified for the 2012 Summer Olympics again. In London, he won his first two fights. He beat boxers from India and Tajikistan. He then lost a close fight to an Irish boxer, ending his Olympic journey.

Óscar Valdez's Professional Boxing Career

After his successful amateur career, Óscar Valdez decided to become a professional boxer. This meant he would now fight for money and world titles.

Starting Strong: Early Professional Fights

On 28 August 2012, Valdez signed a contract with a manager. Later that year, he signed a five-year deal with Top Rank, a big boxing promotion company. Valdez had his first professional fight on 3 November 2012, when he was 21. He won by stopping his opponent in the second round. This fight took place in Mexico.

In 2013, Valdez fought six times and won all of them by knockout. By the end of the year, he had won 8 fights, all by stopping his opponents. He had no losses.

In 2014, Valdez continued his winning streak. He won a technical knockout in March. In April, he fought for his first title, the NABF Junior super featherweight title. He won by knockout in the fourth round. He successfully defended this title in May.

Valdez then moved back to featherweight in July 2014. He won the NABF Junior featherweight title by a unanimous decision. This was his first fight that went the full distance without a knockout. He defended his super featherweight title again in November. Valdez fought five more times until December 2015, winning all his fights.

Becoming a Featherweight World Champion

Winning the WBO Featherweight Title

On 9 April 2016, Valdez fought Evgeny Gradovich for the WBO NABO featherweight title. Valdez won by stopping Gradovich in the fourth round. He dominated the fight from the start.

On 23 July 2016, Valdez fought Matias Rueda for the vacant WBO featherweight title. Valdez won his first world title by stopping Rueda in the second round. He knocked Rueda down twice with powerful body shots.

Defending the Featherweight Title

Valdez made his first title defense on 5 November 2016, against Hiroshige Osawa. Valdez won by technical knockout in the seventh round. He knocked Osawa down in the fourth round and continued to land many punches.

On 22 April 2017, Valdez defended his title against Miguel Marriaga. Valdez won by unanimous decision after 12 rounds. This was the first time Valdez fought a full 12 rounds in his professional career.

In September 2017, Valdez defended his WBO title for the third time against Genesis Servania. Valdez was knocked down in the fourth round but recovered quickly. He then knocked Servania down in the next round. Valdez won the fight by unanimous decision after 12 rounds.

Tough Fights and Injuries

On 10 March 2018, Valdez defended his WBO featherweight title against British boxer Scott Quigg. Valdez won a tough 12-round fight by unanimous decision. Valdez broke Quigg's nose during the fight. Valdez also had his front teeth damaged. Valdez's speed and many punches helped him win. After the fight, Valdez had to have his jaw wired shut due to his injuries.

On 2 February 2019, Valdez fought Carmine Tommasone. Valdez won by technical knockout in the seventh round. This was another successful defense of his WBO featherweight title.

On 8 June 2019, Valdez defended his title against Jason Sanchez. He won by unanimous decision after 12 rounds.

Moving Up to Super Featherweight

Valdez vs. Lopez and Velez

On 30 November 2019, Valdez fought Adam Lopez and won by technical knockout in the seventh round. In his next fight on 21 July 2020, Valdez fought Jayson Vélez. Valdez knocked Velez down three times and won by technical knockout in the tenth round.

Becoming WBC Super Featherweight Champion

Valdez vs. Berchelt: A Big Win

On 20 February 2021, Óscar Valdez had one of the biggest fights of his career. He challenged Miguel Berchelt for the WBC super featherweight title. Berchelt was a strong champion and was favored to win.

Valdez showed amazing skill and speed. He knocked Berchelt down in the ninth and tenth rounds. In the tenth round, Valdez landed a powerful left punch that knocked Berchelt out. Valdez won the WBC super featherweight title! He called it the biggest win of his career.

First Title Defense and Controversy

Valdez made his first defense of the WBC super featherweight title against Robson Conceição on 10 September 2021. Before the fight, it was announced that Valdez had tested positive for a banned substance. However, the fight still happened because the local athletic commission followed rules that only banned the substance during competition. Valdez won the fight by unanimous decision.

Valdez vs. Stevenson: Title Unification

On 30 April 2022, Valdez faced Shakur Stevenson in a big fight to unify the WBC and WBO junior lightweight titles. Valdez lost the fight by unanimous decision after 12 rounds.

After Losing the Title

Valdez vs. Navarrete

On 12 August 2023, Valdez fought Emanuel Navarrete for the WBO super featherweight title. Valdez lost the fight by unanimous decision. Before this fight, Valdez had a "stay-busy" fight on 20 May 2023, where he beat Adam Lopez by unanimous decision.

Valdez vs. Wilson

On 29 March 2024, Valdez defeated Liam Wilson by technical knockout in the seventh round. This win earned him the interim WBO junior lightweight title.

Upcoming Fight

Valdez is scheduled to fight Emanuel Navarrete again in a rematch on December 7, 2024.

Professional boxing record

Images for kids

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  Valdez in 2016

See also

In Spanish: Óscar Valdez para niños

• List of Mexican boxing world champions
• List of world featherweight boxing champions
• List of world super-featherweight boxing champions