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 professional boxer from Mexico. He has been a world champion in two different weight classes. From 2016 to 2019, he held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight title. Later, from 2021 to 2022, he was the World Boxing Council (WBC) super featherweight champion.

Before becoming a professional, Óscar Valdez was a talented amateur boxer. He even qualified for the 2008 Olympics when he was just 17 years old. He also made history as the first Mexican Youth World Champion. Four years later, he competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics again. Valdez is known for his exciting and powerful fighting style. He often knocks out his opponents, with about 72% of his wins coming by knockout.

Óscar Valdez's Amateur Boxing Journey

Óscar Valdez started making a name for himself very early. At 17, he surprised many by winning the bantamweight championship. This happened after he beat a top champion in the semifinals of the 2007 National Championships.

Qualifying for the Olympics

Valdez earned a spot in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He won a silver medal at the Olympic qualifier. This was impressive because he had only competed in three international fights before. In Beijing, he faced the boxer who would go on to win the gold medal. Valdez lost his first fight there.

Becoming a Youth World Champion

In 2008, Valdez moved up to the featherweight division. He then won the first 2008 Youth World Amateur Boxing Championships. This big tournament was held in his home country, in Guadalajara. He showed how much he had improved by beating opponents from many different countries. In the semifinals, he won by knockout in the first round. He then completely dominated the final match, winning 12–0 against his Russian opponent.

Winning a World Championship Medal

In 2009, Valdez competed in the World Amateur Boxing Championships in Milan. He won a bronze medal there. This was a historic moment for Mexican boxing. He became the first Mexican boxer to win a medal at a World Championships.

Second Olympic Appearance

After his success at featherweight, Valdez moved back down to bantamweight. He won his Olympic qualifier for the 2012 London Games. In London, he won his first two fights. He beat boxers from India and Tajikistan. However, he then lost his third fight to an Irish boxer.

Óscar Valdez's Professional Boxing Career

Óscar Valdez turned professional in 2012. He signed contracts with a manager and a big boxing promoter, Top Rank.

Starting Strong: Early Professional Fights

Valdez made his professional debut on November 3, 2012. He was 21 years old. He won his first fight by stopping his opponent in the second round. This fight took place in Mexico. In December, he won another fight by knockout in Las Vegas. Both of these early fights were in the featherweight division.

In 2013, Valdez fought six times in the super featherweight division. He won all of these fights by stopping his opponents. By the end of the year, he had a perfect record of 8 wins, all by knockout.

In 2014, Valdez continued his winning streak. He won a technical knockout in March. In April, he won his first 8-round fight for a junior title. He knocked out his opponent with a strong body shot. He successfully defended this title in May.

Valdez then returned to the featherweight division in July 2014. He won a junior featherweight title by a unanimous decision. This fight ended his long streak of knockout wins. In November, he defended his super featherweight title again, winning by technical knockout. Valdez continued to win fights through 2015. He defeated notable boxers like Chris Avalos.

Becoming a Featherweight Champion

Valdez vs. Gradovich

On April 9, 2016, Valdez fought Evgeny Gradovich for a vacant featherweight title. Valdez won the fight by stopping Gradovich in the fourth round. He dominated the fight from the beginning. In the fourth round, Valdez knocked Gradovich down with a left hook. The referee stopped the fight, giving Valdez the title.

Winning the WBO Featherweight Title

On July 23, 2016, Valdez fought Matias Rueda for the vacant WBO featherweight title. Valdez won his first world title in the second round. He knocked Rueda down twice with body shots. After the second knockdown, the referee stopped the fight. This made Óscar Valdez a world champion.

Defending the Title: First Defenses

Valdez made his first title defense on November 5, 2016, against Hiroshige Osawa. Valdez won in the seventh round after a strong performance. He hit Osawa with many accurate punches and knocked him down in the fourth round. Valdez was far ahead on all scorecards when the fight was stopped.

On April 22, 2017, Valdez defended his WBO featherweight title against Miguel Marriaga. Valdez won the fight by unanimous decision after 12 rounds. This was the first time in his professional career that Valdez fought all 12 rounds. Marriaga was knocked down in the tenth round.

More Title Defenses

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 very next round. Valdez went on to win the fight by unanimous decision after 12 rounds. He said he was surprised by the knockdown but was not seriously hurt.

On March 10, 2018, Valdez defended his WBO featherweight title against British boxer Scott Quigg. Valdez won the tough 12-round fight by unanimous decision. Valdez showed great hand and foot speed. He caused Quigg to have a broken nose. Valdez himself needed medical attention for his jaw after the fight.

In 2018, Valdez changed trainers to Eddy Reynoso. This was to help him improve his defense. On February 2, 2019, Valdez defended his WBO featherweight title against Carmine Tommasone. Valdez won by technical knockout in the seventh round.

Later Featherweight Fights

On November 30, 2019, Valdez fought Adam Lopez. Valdez won this fight by technical knockout in the seventh round. In his next fight, Valdez faced Jayson Velez. Valdez had a great performance, knocking Velez down three times. He ended the fight by technical knockout in the tenth round.

Becoming a Super Featherweight Champion

Valdez vs. Berchelt: A Big Win

On February 20, 2021, Óscar Valdez fought Miguel Berchelt for the WBC super featherweight title. This was a highly anticipated fight between two Mexican boxers. Berchelt was the champion and had a long winning streak.

Valdez used his skill and speed to control the fight. He knocked Berchelt down in the ninth and tenth rounds. In the tenth round, Valdez landed a powerful left-hand punch that knocked Berchelt out. The fight was immediately stopped. Valdez was ahead on all scorecards at the time of the knockout. He called this his biggest win ever.

First Defense as Super Featherweight Champion

Valdez made his first defense of the WBC super featherweight title on September 10, 2021. He fought Robson Conceição, an Olympic gold medalist. Valdez won the fight by unanimous decision after 12 rounds. The fight was close, but Valdez took control in the later rounds.

Valdez vs. Stevenson: Unification Bout

On April 30, 2022, Valdez had a big unification fight against WBO champion Shakur Stevenson. This fight was for both the WBC and WBO super featherweight titles. Stevenson used his jab and footwork to control the fight. He outlanded Valdez and even scored a knockdown in the sixth round. Stevenson won by unanimous decision, unifying the titles.

After the Title Reign

Valdez vs. Navarrete

On August 12, 2023, Valdez fought Emanuel Navarrete for the vacant WBO junior lightweight championship. Valdez had previously withdrawn from an earlier scheduled fight with Navarrete due to an injury. Before this fight, Valdez had a "stay-busy" fight on May 20, 2023, where he beat Adam Lopez by unanimous decision. In the fight against Navarrete, Valdez lost by unanimous decision after 12 rounds.

Valdez vs. Wilson

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

Valdez vs. Navarrete 2

Óscar Valdez had a rematch against Emanuel Navarrete on December 7, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona. Valdez lost the fight by knockout in the sixth round. This fight was for the WBO super featherweight title.

Professional boxing record

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