VALERO TKO'S FOE IN FIRST ROUND!
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 03 Jan 2007
WBA superfeatherweight champion Edwin Valero proved once again that he belongs to the most elite of the game, stopping yesterday Mexican challenger Michael Lozada in the first round of a scheduled 12-rounder in his first titular defense at the Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo, Japan.
Valero, who is being groomed to be the next opponent for Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao on April 28, beat Lozada with a technical knockout in the opening round for the sensational win.
Valero improved to 21-0, including 20 knockouts - with his first 18 bouts finished in the opening round. Lozada fell to 29-4-2 with 10 knockouts.
With the Pacquiao-Marco Antonio Barrera bout now all but scrapped, Valero remains a hot front-runner to be the next opponent for Pacquiao, although his Japanese handler Akihiko Honda had revealed earlier that his ward is not yet ready for Pacquiao in 2007.
Honda cited that his ward needs two or three more bouts before possibly facing the fire-breathing Filipino, although Valero, in a separate interview with leading boxing website Boxingconfidential.com, hinted that he might be prepared for a Pacquiao battle in the latter part of 2007 or early 2008.
"I really want to fight Pacquiao before he retires," said the humble Venezuelan in the interview.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, who claims to be the Filipino fighter's promoter, said that Valero is one of the names being floated as possible April 28 foe for Pacquiao, although Mexican Humberto Soto and IBF champion Malcolm Klassen are also being considered.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Jake Paul Earns Boxing Legitimacy with Dominant Decision Over Julio Cesar Chávez Jr.
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 29 Jun 2025Zurdo Ramirez Defends Cruiserweight Crowns with Unanimous Decision Over Dorticos
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 29 Jun 2025Vince Paras Faces Sarawut Thawornkham Today at Venue 88 in Gensan
Sun, 29 Jun 2025USA Elite High Performance Team Sets Sights on Gold at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Sun, 29 Jun 2025Alekhine Nouri bags silver in blitz
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 29 Jun 2025Paul vs. Chavez Jr: Can Julio Derail Jake Paul?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 28 Jun 2025Dr. KO: Christian Mbilli Stops Maciej Sulecki in 1
Sat, 28 Jun 2025GOLDEN BOY SIGNS UNDEFEATED MIDDLEWEIGHT BLUE-CHIP PROSPECT AMARI JONES
Sat, 28 Jun 2025Paul vs. Chávez Jr. is a Go: All Fighters Make Weight in Anaheim Ahead of High-Stakes Bout
Sat, 28 Jun 2025IIEE Chessmasters Overall Champion in the International Bundesliga with GM Joey Antonio
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 28 Jun 2025Kittipong of Thailand Battles Bhavesh of India in Brico Santig's Exciting Show in Bangkok
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 28 Jun 2025Weights from Philadelphia
Sat, 28 Jun 2025Alekhine Nouri and John Jerish Velarde struck gold and bronze
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 28 Jun 2025Would OKC Still Win the West If Dallas Had Not Traded Doncic?
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 27 Jun 2025Asenso Ozamis Open chess tournament on July 12 and 13
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 27 Jun 2025