by James Slater – Talk about an intriguing and exciting fight. Though the fight is far from a done deal at this point in time, there is at least a decent chance unbeaten wannabe stars Timothy Bradley and Edwin Valero could meet in the summer, in what would be a classic Boxer Vs. Puncher match-up.
Both men are unbeaten, both are more than willing to fight the best available opposition, with both men seeking super-fights, and both guys are fast, exciting performers who can punch. What’s not to like about the idea of the two hungry warriors getting it on with each other?
KO king Valero, 27-0(27) has made it clear his next fight will almost certainly be up at 140-pounds. The reigning WBC lightweight champion’s main goal is a mega-fight with megastar Manny Pacquiao, but that fight looks to be a good few months away – if it happens at all. A fight with Bradley, unbeaten at 25-0(11) would be some risky 140-pound debut for the Venezuelan, but a win would surely put Valero closer to his goal of getting Pac-Man in the ring with him.
Bradley, too, would love a fight with Pacquiao (which fighter from anywhere between 135 and 154-pounds wouldn’t?) – in fact, the man known as “Desert Storm,” would be more than happy for ANY marquee name to show a willingness to face him. Bradley, as good, as strong and as dangerous as he is, has had trouble getting a fight lately, that’s for sure. Valero may not be a marquee name yet, but he is fast becoming one, and Bradley would very probably relish the idea of meeting the lethal southpaw in the ring next.
As soon as the nasty cut Valero suffered in his recent win over Antonio DeMarco heals, “El Inca” will resume training, and let’s hope it will be WBO light-welterweight champion Bradley he will enter camp to get ready for. A genuinely 50-50 fight on paper; who wins – the out and out banger, or the boxer-puncher who is primarily a boxer?
Both men are capable of starting a fight fast, very fast, and both men have also been down and hurt in past fights. This one, if it happens, could conceivably be a short affair; perhaps with both men being hurt, wobbled or maybe even put on the canvas before the ending comes. Bradley has shown he has good recuperative powers in his possession, while Valero has the look of a warrior who will really have to be nailed to the canvas in order for him to be stopped! One of the most mouth-watering-looking fights that can be made at 140-pounds right now, this match-up could well result in a brutal and vicious fight.
On the other hand, though, Bradley’s excellent boxing skills – skills that are far superior to those of the still-raw Valero – could see to it that the man from Palm Springs schools Valero, in the process nullifying his best asset: his withering punching power. But Valero’s fists sure will take some nullifying. Is Bradley the man to do it?
Really, there are at least a dozen fascinating questions that can be asked about this prospective fight; not least: who will win, will we see a sensational KO, and if so, from which fighter? Reportedly, promoter Gary Shaw is working on making this fight for June. Let’s hope he can do it.
If the fight happens, the winner will be a big step closer to being the star he wants to be.