VALERO MAY FIGHT MARQUEZ IN UNIFICATION BOUT
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 02 Apr 2007
Should undefeated WBA super featherweight champion Edwin Valero successfully defend his title against No.2 ranked former OPBF champion Nobuhito Honmo in a triple world title fight card in Tokyo on May 3, a unification title fight against newly crowned WBC champion Juan Manuel Marquez may take place once again effectively preventing Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao from facing the most exciting fighters in megabuck showdowns.
A report from Tokyo by Adashi Hisao said that the eminent and influential Japanese promoter Akihiko Honda of Teiken Promotions had made an offer to the Marquez camp for a unification title fight in the US on September 16 which is an HBO date held by Golden Boy Promotions of Oscar De La Hoya. Marquez is one of the many classy super featherweights in the Golden Boy Promotions stable including Juan Guzman, former champion Marco Antonio Barrera and Rocky Juarez among others.
Golden Boy Promotions vice president Erin Gomez told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today some time ago that Golden Boy has the rights to Valero should he be cleared to fight in the US. At present the Japan-based Venezuelan with a spectacular record of 21 knockouts in 21 wins was invited to live in Japan by the wealthy Honda who is handling his career.
Honda had earlier indicated that Valero needed a couple of fights before he would be ready to battle Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao but because of the contractual dispute between Golden Boy Promotions who signed Pacquiao to a seven-fight deal in mid-September and Bob Arum of Top Rank who inked a four-fight deal some two months later which is now in the courts, a Pacquiao fight is being sidelined in favor of a clash with Marquez.
Honda expects the hard-hitting Valero to overcome the challenge of Honmo who has a record of 29-4-2 with only 5 KO’s but is known for his excellent defensive skills. Honmo defeated the Philippines Jimrex Jaca to win the OPBF title in a close but unanimous decision on May 20 last year.
Valero sparred eight rounds against three Mexicans including former WBC light welterweight champion Arturo Morua and promising lightweight Jose Alberto Leal who scored a second round knockout over Fernando Espinoza last March 2. Valero demonstrated his speed and power which impressed several boxing writers who watched the workout.
Valero indicated he was looking for a big fight so he could make some good money noting that the life of a boxer is short and he wants to make as much money as possible in that limited period.
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