Mexican warrior Oscar Valdez (31-2, 23 KOs) will lock horns against Australian former world title challenger, Liam Wilson (13-2, 7 KOs) for the WBO Interim junior lightweight world title this Friday, March 29 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
In the co-feature, WBC/WBA/Ring Magazine champion, Seniesa ‘Super Bad’ Estrada (25-0, 9 KOs) and WBO/IBF ruler, Yokasta Valle (30-2, 9 KOs) will collide for the undisputed minimumweight crown.
Valdez-Wilson & Estrada-Valle headline a stacked card streaming live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+. First bell is set for 6:10 p.m. ET/3:10 p.m. PT, and the co-feature will begin at approximately 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT.T
The undercard will feature rising contenders and prospects from the Top Rank stable, including lightweight Raymond “Danger” Muratalla (19-0, 16 KOs), who returns in a 10-rounder versus Xolisani Ndongeni (31-4, 18 KOs), and Mexican Olympian Lindolfo Delgado (19-0, 14 KOs), who will face compatriot Carlos Sanchez (25-2, 19 KOs) in a 10-round junior welterweight showdown.
Additionally, U.S. Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. (8-0, 8 KOs) looks to remain unbeaten in an eight-rounder against Don Haynesworth (18-8-1, 16 KOs), while lightweight phenom Emiliano Fernando Vargas (8-0, 7 KOs) takes on Nelson Hampton (10-8, 6 KOs) in a six-rounder.
Phoenix-based Sergio Rodriguez (10-0-1, 8 KOs) will square off against Sanny Sanny Duversonne (12-6-2, 9 KOs) in a six-round middleweight tilt.
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with No Limit Boxing, tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com.
At Wednesday’s press conference, this is what the fighters had to say.
Oscar Valdez:
“I’m going to be ready. I was preparing myself for a world championship fight. Then we got the news that it’s now for an Interim title. So, I’m more than excited and prepared, and we’re going to show that.
“I was taking this fight as seriously as a world championship fight. I know Liam Wilson. He’s a tough fighter. I was there when he fought Emanuel Navarrete, and he sent him to the canvas. So you better believe that I’m coming with everything because I’m expecting that same Liam Wilson.
“Liam Wilson is a dangerous fighter. But that makes it more exciting. And the Interim title adds fuel to the fire. I’m very motivated, and I will do everything possible to win this fight.”
Liam Wilson:
“Every fight for me now is a world title fight. So, I’ve prepared really hard for it. This is my second run at a world title. And I’ve shown in the past that if I can get a second run, I can be very dangerous. I’m very ready for this fight.
“I’m glad he was there {for my fight against Navarrete}. The whole world saw what happened. I should have already become world champion. This fight between me and Valdez should have already happened. I won the belt that night. It wasn’t awarded to me. But that’s just the way things played out. But, we’re here now and we’re going to settle the score.
“I’ve grown as a person. I’ve grown as a fighter. I’ve had a year to reassess my abilities. So, I’m better prepared now. It has all led to my second run at a title.”
Seniesa Estrada:
“This means everything. This is something that I have been wanting for a long time. It’s something that my team and I have worked so hard for, so I’m not going to let this moment slip away.
“For me it’s personal, but I’m still professional. I’m not trying to fight her on stage or anything. We had our back and forth. But the talk is over. It’s time for us to get in there.
“Now it’s about women’s boxing. It’s about us getting in there on Friday night and putting on a great performance for everybody. And it’s about showing the world that women’s boxing is here, it’s on the rise, and we are great.”
Yokasta Valle:
“For me, it would be a dream come true to make history for women, for boxing. I’m more than enthusiastic for this week, and I’m looking forward to it.
“On my end, it’s been professional. That’s the way I see it. I’ve trained hard for a great fight. This isn’t personal. I respect her as the champion that she is. And in the ring, we will see who is the real champion.”
Raymond Muratalla:
“These last two fights have been impressive. I believe I’m ready for that title shot.
“Come Friday, it’s going to amazing in Arizona. I can’t wait to put on a show. I can’t wait to feed off the crowd.”
Lindolfo Delgado:
“I’m on a mission with myself to be the best version of myself. I haven’t reached that version yet. So, I have to push myself each time, and for that, I have to get better with each fight, not worse. I have to keep moving forward to try and improve with each camp and each fight.
“He’s a good fighter, and we know him as he was a teammate of mine on the Mexican national team. We went to different places to compete. But now this is a totally different thing. We’re concentrated and we’re prepared. We know it’s going to be a hard fight, but we’re prepared.”
Richard Torrez Jr.:
“Every time, you’re just trying to get better from your previous self. And do I think I’m getting better from my previous self.
“It’s really hard for me to picture the long-term plan. Because I have so many short-term goals in front of me. So, I just want to keep winning. Whatever Top Rank has in store, it’s up to them and my dad. On my end, I will get through any obstacle.”
Sergio Rodriguez:
“This is what I want to do, and I want to continue to do it as long as I can.
“I want to put on another great performance. Even if it’s not a knockout, I want my people to be happy with my fight.”
Emiliano Fernando Vargas:
“I want to dominate. There’s something about Arizona fans. It’s something special about here. I’m young. I’m hungry. I know where I’m supposed to be. I just want to be great. That’s all I want to do.
“I’m just grateful to have this support system behind me. This sport gets lonely. If I’m cutting weight, if I’m doing my miles, I’m calling my brothers and saying, ‘Come run with me!’
“It doesn’t matter if it’s 12 in the morning, if it’s one in the morning, if it’s two in the morning. That’s my support. That’s my backbone. If they’re throwing four punches on the bag, I’m throwing six, and that’s how we’ve always been.”
Friday, March 29:
FIRST BELL: ESPN+ (6:10 p.m. ET/3:10 p.m. PT)
Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson, 12 rounds, Vacant WBO Interim Junior Lightweight World Title
Seniesa Estrada vs. Yokasta Valle 10 rounds, Undisputed Minimumweight Championship
Raymond Muratalla vs. Xolisani Ndongeni 10 rounds, Lightweight
Lindolfo Delgado vs. Carlos Sanchez, 10 rounds, Junior Welterweight
Richard Torrez Jr. vs. Don Haynesworth, 8 rounds, Heavyweight
Sergio Rodriguez vs. Sanny Duversonne, 6 rounds, Middleweight
Emiliano Fernando Vargas vs. Nelson Hampton, 6 rounds, Lightweight
Alan Garcia vs. Gonzalo Fuenzalida, 6 rounds, Lightweight
Art Barrera Jr. vs. Keven Soto, 4 rounds, Junior Welterweight
Ricardo Ruvalcaba vs. Avner Hernandez-Molina, 6 rounds, Junior Welterweight.
Credit: Top Rank Boxing
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