Valdez KO's Berchelt in 10: Wins WBC 130 Title

Newly crowned WBC super featherweight champion Oscar Valdez (29-0-0, 23 KOs) of Nogales, Sonora made a statement in knocking out fellow Mexican Miguel “Alacran” Berchelt (38-1-0, 34 KOs) of Cancun Saturday night at the bubble at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas live on ESPN.

From the start Valdez came out swinging for the fences, throwing hard punches and connecting on Berchelt. Valdez scored a knockdown in the fourth as Berchelt was staggered and his glove touched the ropes. It was all Valdez the first half of the fight as he boxed. Berchelt came on the second half of the fight connecting with solid punches and pressuring Valdez. Valdez dropped Berchelt again in the ninth, then finished him as Valdez knocked Berchelt out cold with a huge left hand. Berchelt fell face first as the referee Russell Mora immediately waived it at 2:59.

“There’s nothing better in life than proving people wrong. I have a list of people who doubted me. My idols doubted me. Boxing analysts doubted me. They said Berchelt was going to knock me out. I have a message to everybody: Don’t’ let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do.

“I’m so happy right now, I can almost do a backflip like Teofimo Lopez.”

“I want to take this belt home, and I’m happy for that. Any champion out there… I heard Shakur Stevenson wants to fight. Let’s do it. I just want to keep on fighting and give the fans what they want.”

Bob Arum

“Oscar Valdez proved he is one of the great Mexican champions. An absolute masterpiece in the ring tonight.”

In the co-feature Stockton, California's Gabriel Flores Jr. stopped Puerto Rican veteran and former world title challenger Jayson Velez in six. A left hook to the temple did it as Velez was staggered and hit the canvas. Velez was up but Flores continued his assault dropping Velez for a second time as the referee waived it at 1:47.

“I sent a statement that I’m ready for a world title.”

“I hit him, and he didn’t see the punch coming. That’s why he was so hurt.”

“I could’ve done it earlier. I was playing with my food. {Trainer Gabriel Flores Sr.} told me I just gotta press it. Nothing was really going on those first five rounds, to be honest. I was just feeling him out.

“I would love to get the winner of Jamel Herring and Carl Frampton. I’d love that. I’m going to keep on working, and my performances are going to get better and better.”

2012 Olympic silver medalist (28-0, 20 KOs) Esquiva Falcao, from Brazil, stopped former two-time middleweight world title challenger Artur Akavov, (20-4, 9 KOs). Falcao pummeled Akavov and after the round, Akavov's corner stopped the fight at the conclusion of round 4.

Dominican junior welterweight prospect Elvis Rodriguez (11-0-1, 10 KOs) won a unanimous decision over Luis Alberto Veron (18-3-2, 9 KOs). The judges scored the bout 79-73, 79-73, and 78-74.

Puerto Rican welterweight prospect Xander Zayas (7-0, 5 KOs) won a unanimous decision over James Martin (6-2, 0 KOs) in going the distance six rounds. All three judges scored the bout 60-54.

Milwaukee middleweight prospect Javier Martinez (3-0, 1 KO) scored his first career KO over Billy Wagner (3-2, 1 KO). 1:51

In the opening bout from the MGM Grand Jr. Welterweight Omar Rosario (3-0, 1 KO) scored a second round knockout over Uriel Villanueva (1-1). Rosario scored a pair of knockdowns as the bout was stopped at 2:38.

Follow Miguel on Twitter @MigMaravilla