by James Slater – The fight is not signed, sealed and delivered yet, so let’s not get too excited. However, the fight “The Bible of Boxing” itself, in Ring magazine, says is in the works for the summer is a fight sure worth getting excited about. According to Ring’s website, promoter Bob Arum is close to ironing out a deal that will see huge punchers Edwin Valero and Breidis Prescott collide on July 25th in Mexico. Let’s hope this one can and will be made official soon..
Two of the world’s most hard-hitting lightweights, both of whom are unbeaten, with one of the two holding a recognised world title at the weight – what’s not to like about such a fight!
According to Arum, the fight would take place either in Cancun, Mexico, or in Toluca, Mexico.
Fans know all about reigning WBC 135-pound champ and former WBA super-featherweight ruler Valero. One of the purest punchers seen in a long time, the lethal southpaw has an amazing 25 KO’s from his 25 wins. Last time out, in his first bout in America for a number of years, the powerhouse from Venezuela starched the respected Antonio Pitalua inside just two rounds to claim the WBC lightweight crown he will defend against Prescott if and when the two men meet. Seen by many as a future superstar of the sport, the 27-year-old puncher would be favoured to beat Colombian Prescott.
The 25-year-old from Barranquilla can also hit hard too, though, as he showed when winning his biggest and most high profile fight to date against Amir Khan. Annihilating the then unbeaten former Olympian in just 54-seconds, the long-armed slugger burst into public prominence. Okay, flattening Khan, a fighter who has a weak chin, may not be as impressive as any of the things Valero has done inside the ring, but Prescott must be given a chance against anyone because of his speed and power. Also carrying a perfect pro record at 21-0(18) fans would be foolish to write him off against shorter man Valero.
At 5’11,” Prescott is a pretty tall lightweight. Valero, at just 5’6,” is not. It’s possible Prescott’s advantages in height and reach will help him when the two bombers collide. There will not be too many fans or experts out there willing to wager much cash on this fight going into the later rounds, let alone reaching the final bell. This one will maybe come down to who lands with the flushest bomb first. And who knows, because of his long arms, this could be the Colombian.
Fans have wanted to see if Prescott – a fighter some overly excited people called the new Thomas Hearns after his destruction of Khan last September – is the real deal he appeared to be in those much talked about 54-seconds. Looking at the 25-year-old’s record, there is certainly nothing as explosive on there, either before or since last year’s stunning win. Indeed, for whatever reason, Prescott has thus far failed to truly capitalize on his win over Khan – fighting just once since (when he won a somewhat bizarre 10th round DQ over Humberto Toledo this past Feb., Toledo using his teeth to see to it that he got thrown out).
One thing is sure, though, if Prescott can become the first man to beat Valero, he WILL definitely have capitalised on his newfound fame and reputation as a danger man. It could be argued that the two bangers set to meet in July are the most dangerous fighters occupying today’s lightweight division; whoever wins will have proven he is the #1 threat to anyone at 135-pounds.