By Daniel “Tex” Cohen
Edwin “Dinamita” Valero, 27-0, 27 KO’s, has been on the boxing scene long enough for many of the “mainstream” fans of the sport to finally develop some sort of opinion on him. Valero has become a somewhat polarizing figure for ironic reasons. You would think he would garner mixed reviews for his DUI charge, aggressive past, somewhat questionable medical history and support for Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
Instead, in a twist of pleasantly logical events, Valero is judged as a boxer. The debate is at least fitting; you should always be judged by what you do professionally, right? Valero is not your role model or your teacher, but your resident Venezuelan knockout artist. The boxing public is judging him on that basis.
Valero’s claim to fame is his unanimous knockout record. Others have tried to substantiate their worth by racking up such accomplishments, but those same men achieved their feats against weak opponents and fell apart as soon as anyone with the least bit of pop or skill stepped into the ring. Valero once held the record for consecutive first round knockouts, but that margin was surpassed by Tyrone Brunson when Brunson ran through nineteen consecutive bums. Brunson’s fate? He fell in three rounds this past December to Carson Jones, a man that will likely serve as fodder for Antonio Margarito’s comeback fight on the under card of the Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey super-bout at the Cowboys Stadium in March. Similarly, Victor “The Destroyer” Oganov began his career with 23 straight knockouts before going 4-3, 2 KO’s, against actual opposition rather than career opponents. Oganov has been knocked out in his only two fights against tough opponents, falling to Fulgencio Zuniga by nine round stoppage in September of 2007 and Super Middleweight Tournament Contender Andre Dirrell by six round stoppage in November of 2008.
These examples serve as distinction for Valero. Where others have failed, he has (at least modestly) succeeded. Valero has gradually stepped up his opposition over the last three years. Since 2006, he has faced Vicente Mosquera, Nobuhito Honmo, Antonio Pitalua, Hector Velazquez, and Antonio DeMarco. That list may consist of B-Level also-rans, but it also has shown a consistent increase in the level of difficulty he has faced. Additionally, the type of fighter that Valero has faced were similar to the types of fighters that knocked out the likes of Brunson and Oganov. Since winning the Super Featherweight Title (and subsequently winning a lightweight belt), Valero’s opposition has a not-too-shabby combined record of 233-30.
Then again, critics have stated respectable cases against the knockout artist, pointing partially to his competition as a critique. That argument has begun to weaken with Valero’s recent domination of the tough and somewhat battle-tested DeMarco. It may also continue to weaken as Valero fights bigger and bigger names. The Boxing blogosphere is abuzz with possible future showdowns, and Gary Shaw has thrown out the concept of matching Valero with the fearless, proven Timothy Bradley in a junior welterweight matchup that would most certainly garner top-notch ratings. Bob Arum has even whispered about pairing Valero with the legendary Manny Pacquiao in the future.
Arum’s dream is not going to be a reality any time soon. However, Shaw’s idea might be more realistic than you think. Bradley, in a single year, faced down Kendall Holt, Nate Campbell, and Lamont Peterson. Without an odd bit of politics following the Campbell bout, Bradley would have been credited with having bested all three and showing tremendous courage and skill in each of the fights. Facing a certified tough guy would hardly be a new trick for one of the more solid champions in the sport.
The fact that Bradley is a possibility suggests something bigger for Valero: His name has entered the mind of media and fans alike. Yet, Valero still has plenty to prove. Even those that admit that his competition has gradually gotten better still point to his lack of stamina and technique and pitch to every listening ear that he will one day wind up unconscious on the mat against someone who can actually fight. Many have floated the names of some warriors that would give him a run for his money.
For that reason, listed below are five of the possible opponents Valero could face and how he would fare against them if the fight was held today.
#1: Michael “The Great” Katsidis, 26-2, 21 KO’s
The Appeal: Katsidis-Valero is perhaps the best actual fight in this whole article. Talk about a bloodbath. Katsidis is never in a bad fight and he creates hell for a variety of different types of fighters. In an unforgettable splash, Katsidis made his name known to US fans by warring through several cuts to overcome great adversity and take a unanimous decision over Czar Amonsot on the undercard of the Winky Wright-Bernard Hopkins Pay Per View.
Outcome: If this fight were held today, Valero would eventually stop Katsidis on cuts or take a long, hard unanimous decision against him. The Aussie is one of the toughest men of the planet and is undoubtedly and undyingly carrying the mantle of the great Arturo Gatti. Both men have a great chin. However, Valero will land the harder blows, and that tends to impress more judges and cut more faces.
#2: Juan “The Baby Bull” Diaz, 35-3, 17 KO’s
The Appeal: Diaz is a fan favorite. HBO can always put him in a good fight because he always makes for one. Unfortunately, we may be seeing that he is somewhat one dimensional in his approach. Juan is far from a “natural” talent; he knows how to fight, and he relies on his stamina and volume punching to wear out his opponents, filling him with the wish that he would stop freaking hitting them before they finally give in to the flails of punches and retire on their stools ala Julio Diaz or Acelino Freitas. Diaz, like Katsidis, would be Valero’s best opponent to date. The action would be great.
Outcome: Valero either stops Diaz late or takes a clear unanimous decision. Diaz is built wrong for guys who can either stick and move (Paulie Malignaggi) or thump inside (Nate Campbell). Valero fits the second mold. Diaz would not be able to crack that chin because he has nothing to keep him away. Boxing is sometimes a game of rock, paper, scissors. While Diaz beat Katsidis rather comfortably, he would stand less of a chance than the Aussie would at surviving against Valero.
#3: Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez, 50-5, 37 KO’s
The Appeal: La Guerra de las Dinamitas. While fighting Marquez would still leave doubters out there, this fight would go a long way in proving that Valero can compete against the best. Marquez is the best Mexican lightweight of his generation and as served as the number one foil for the great Manny Pacquiao. If Valero can figure out how to get around Marquez’s impassable timing, he is good enough to compete with many of the slick fighters he might come across.
Outcome: A really, really close fight. A young Pacquiao proved that a wild yet speedy fighter can get to Marquez and put him in serious trouble. However, Marquez also proved in his fights against the Pacmonster that he is indeed capable of beating someone with a tremendous amount of raw talent. If this fight happened today, after a full training camp, I have Marquez winning a razor thin split decision or the two men leaving it at a draw. However, with each passing moment, Marquez is getting a bit older and perhaps a bit slower. Over the next six months to a year, expect the odds to tip slightly in the other direction.
#4: Ali Funeka, 30-2, 25 KO’s
The Appeal: Funeka is one of the most underrated fighters in the sport. The long-armed contender was most recently robbed of a unanimous decision and a belt in a fight against Joan Guzman. In the bout directly prior to that, Funeka lost a very close majority decision against Nate Campbell in a highly competitive fight. The style matchup with Valero would be interesting because Valero has had difficulty getting at the chin of some of his taller opponents.
The Outcome: Funeka takes a decision. The South African Warrior represents an impressive physical challenge for a guy moving up in weight, and Valero might lose a bit of pop if he jumps two weight classes. The one caveat here is that Funeka was nearly knocked out against Nate Campbell. I could see a fight in which Funeka hits the mat once or twice but takes the decision. I could also see Valero scoring a stoppage.
#5: Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, 50-3, 38 KO’s
The Appeal: A Pacquiao fight always has appeal, and watching him in there with a power hitter is even more intriguing. This fight would be a bit like watching Pacquiao take on a younger version of himself.
The Outcome: Pacquiao would destroy him. Valero is in no way ready to take on the best Pound for Pound fighter in the whole sport. If this fight comes off in 2011, things could be different, but today we would be looking at a bloodbath.
As for Timothy Bradley? We’ll just see if the stars align for that showdown and judge it as it comes.
Edwin “Dinamita” Valero, 27-0, 27 KO’s, has been on the boxing scene long enough for many of the “mainstream” fans of the sport to finally develop some sort of opinion on him. Valero has become a somewhat polarizing figure for ironic reasons. You would think he would garner mixed reviews for his DUI charge, aggressive past, somewhat questionable medical history and support for Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
Instead, in a twist of pleasantly logical events, Valero is judged as a boxer. The debate is at least fitting; you should always be judged by what you do professionally, right? Valero is not your role model or your teacher, but your resident Venezuelan knockout artist. The boxing public is judging him on that basis.
Valero’s claim to fame is his unanimous knockout record. Others have tried to substantiate their worth by racking up such accomplishments, but those same men achieved their feats against weak opponents and fell apart as soon as anyone with the least bit of pop or skill stepped into the ring. Valero once held the record for consecutive first round knockouts, but that margin was surpassed by Tyrone Brunson when Brunson ran through nineteen consecutive bums. Brunson’s fate? He fell in three rounds this past December to Carson Jones, a man that will likely serve as fodder for Antonio Margarito’s comeback fight on the under card of the Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey super-bout at the Cowboys Stadium in March. Similarly, Victor “The Destroyer” Oganov began his career with 23 straight knockouts before going 4-3, 2 KO’s, against actual opposition rather than career opponents. Oganov has been knocked out in his only two fights against tough opponents, falling to Fulgencio Zuniga by nine round stoppage in September of 2007 and Super Middleweight Tournament Contender Andre Dirrell by six round stoppage in November of 2008.
These examples serve as distinction for Valero. Where others have failed, he has (at least modestly) succeeded. Valero has gradually stepped up his opposition over the last three years. Since 2006, he has faced Vicente Mosquera, Nobuhito Honmo, Antonio Pitalua, Hector Velazquez, and Antonio DeMarco. That list may consist of B-Level also-rans, but it also has shown a consistent increase in the level of difficulty he has faced. Additionally, the type of fighter that Valero has faced were similar to the types of fighters that knocked out the likes of Brunson and Oganov. Since winning the Super Featherweight Title (and subsequently winning a lightweight belt), Valero’s opposition has a not-too-shabby combined record of 233-30.
Then again, critics have stated respectable cases against the knockout artist, pointing partially to his competition as a critique. That argument has begun to weaken with Valero’s recent domination of the tough and somewhat battle-tested DeMarco. It may also continue to weaken as Valero fights bigger and bigger names. The Boxing blogosphere is abuzz with possible future showdowns, and Gary Shaw has thrown out the concept of matching Valero with the fearless, proven Timothy Bradley in a junior welterweight matchup that would most certainly garner top-notch ratings. Bob Arum has even whispered about pairing Valero with the legendary Manny Pacquiao in the future.
Arum’s dream is not going to be a reality any time soon. However, Shaw’s idea might be more realistic than you think. Bradley, in a single year, faced down Kendall Holt, Nate Campbell, and Lamont Peterson. Without an odd bit of politics following the Campbell bout, Bradley would have been credited with having bested all three and showing tremendous courage and skill in each of the fights. Facing a certified tough guy would hardly be a new trick for one of the more solid champions in the sport.
The fact that Bradley is a possibility suggests something bigger for Valero: His name has entered the mind of media and fans alike. Yet, Valero still has plenty to prove. Even those that admit that his competition has gradually gotten better still point to his lack of stamina and technique and pitch to every listening ear that he will one day wind up unconscious on the mat against someone who can actually fight. Many have floated the names of some warriors that would give him a run for his money.
For that reason, listed below are five of the possible opponents Valero could face and how he would fare against them if the fight was held today.
#1: Michael “The Great” Katsidis, 26-2, 21 KO’s
The Appeal: Katsidis-Valero is perhaps the best actual fight in this whole article. Talk about a bloodbath. Katsidis is never in a bad fight and he creates hell for a variety of different types of fighters. In an unforgettable splash, Katsidis made his name known to US fans by warring through several cuts to overcome great adversity and take a unanimous decision over Czar Amonsot on the undercard of the Winky Wright-Bernard Hopkins Pay Per View.
Outcome: If this fight were held today, Valero would eventually stop Katsidis on cuts or take a long, hard unanimous decision against him. The Aussie is one of the toughest men of the planet and is undoubtedly and undyingly carrying the mantle of the great Arturo Gatti. Both men have a great chin. However, Valero will land the harder blows, and that tends to impress more judges and cut more faces.
#2: Juan “The Baby Bull” Diaz, 35-3, 17 KO’s
The Appeal: Diaz is a fan favorite. HBO can always put him in a good fight because he always makes for one. Unfortunately, we may be seeing that he is somewhat one dimensional in his approach. Juan is far from a “natural” talent; he knows how to fight, and he relies on his stamina and volume punching to wear out his opponents, filling him with the wish that he would stop freaking hitting them before they finally give in to the flails of punches and retire on their stools ala Julio Diaz or Acelino Freitas. Diaz, like Katsidis, would be Valero’s best opponent to date. The action would be great.
Outcome: Valero either stops Diaz late or takes a clear unanimous decision. Diaz is built wrong for guys who can either stick and move (Paulie Malignaggi) or thump inside (Nate Campbell). Valero fits the second mold. Diaz would not be able to crack that chin because he has nothing to keep him away. Boxing is sometimes a game of rock, paper, scissors. While Diaz beat Katsidis rather comfortably, he would stand less of a chance than the Aussie would at surviving against Valero.
#3: Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez, 50-5, 37 KO’s
The Appeal: La Guerra de las Dinamitas. While fighting Marquez would still leave doubters out there, this fight would go a long way in proving that Valero can compete against the best. Marquez is the best Mexican lightweight of his generation and as served as the number one foil for the great Manny Pacquiao. If Valero can figure out how to get around Marquez’s impassable timing, he is good enough to compete with many of the slick fighters he might come across.
Outcome: A really, really close fight. A young Pacquiao proved that a wild yet speedy fighter can get to Marquez and put him in serious trouble. However, Marquez also proved in his fights against the Pacmonster that he is indeed capable of beating someone with a tremendous amount of raw talent. If this fight happened today, after a full training camp, I have Marquez winning a razor thin split decision or the two men leaving it at a draw. However, with each passing moment, Marquez is getting a bit older and perhaps a bit slower. Over the next six months to a year, expect the odds to tip slightly in the other direction.
#4: Ali Funeka, 30-2, 25 KO’s
The Appeal: Funeka is one of the most underrated fighters in the sport. The long-armed contender was most recently robbed of a unanimous decision and a belt in a fight against Joan Guzman. In the bout directly prior to that, Funeka lost a very close majority decision against Nate Campbell in a highly competitive fight. The style matchup with Valero would be interesting because Valero has had difficulty getting at the chin of some of his taller opponents.
The Outcome: Funeka takes a decision. The South African Warrior represents an impressive physical challenge for a guy moving up in weight, and Valero might lose a bit of pop if he jumps two weight classes. The one caveat here is that Funeka was nearly knocked out against Nate Campbell. I could see a fight in which Funeka hits the mat once or twice but takes the decision. I could also see Valero scoring a stoppage.
#5: Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, 50-3, 38 KO’s
The Appeal: A Pacquiao fight always has appeal, and watching him in there with a power hitter is even more intriguing. This fight would be a bit like watching Pacquiao take on a younger version of himself.
The Outcome: Pacquiao would destroy him. Valero is in no way ready to take on the best Pound for Pound fighter in the whole sport. If this fight comes off in 2011, things could be different, but today we would be looking at a bloodbath.
As for Timothy Bradley? We’ll just see if the stars align for that showdown and judge it as it comes.
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