Valdez retains against Sanchez in Reno

In his WBO featherweight world title reign for the third time, Oscar Valdez turned away the challenge of a previously undefeated competitor. Valdez, a two-time Olympian for his native Mexico, defeated Albuquerque fighter Jason Sanchez via unanimous decision to defend his world title for the sixth time.

The final scorecards of 118-109 twice and one at 117-110 were reflective of the action in the ring, but Sanchez, appearing in his first ever world title contest, hung in with the champ for twelve tough rounds.

Valdez hits Sanchez with the ? to the face in Round 2!!#ValdezSanchez | @ESPN pic.twitter.com/U2ivhhZKyP

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) June 9, 2019

Valdez (26-0, 20 KOs) knocked down Sanchez with a lead left hook to open the fifth round and played the role of boxer-puncher throughout the evening. The left hook by Valdez by the story of the entire fight as Sanchez didn’t have an answer for it. To his defense, everyone from the broadcast at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center to the viewers watching on ESPN Saturday night would not have either in the ring.

Sanchez (14-1, 7 KOs) was scrappy, but he did not have a solution concerning Valdez, who has become less of a brawler and more of a defensive-minded, catch-and-shoot tactician under the guidance of trainer Eddy Reynoso. This adjustment was visibly apparent after the knockdown in the fifth round.

The 5th Round opens up with a big knockdown from the champ @oscarvaldez56!#ValdezSanchez | @ESPN pic.twitter.com/tAMBrpQh5G

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) June 9, 2019

“I hope {to fight at featherweight again}. I also have to listen to my body. We’re going to see what’s best,” Valdez said after the fight. “Sometimes I get tired in there, and I’m not sure if it’s because of the weight loss. We’ll talk about {my next move} as a team and will do what is best. I want to fight everybody at 126, 130. Let’s do it.”

Valdez had hinted at recently before the fight that he wanted to move up in weight to challenge the title holders at 130, most notably fellow Top Rank stable fighters Jamel Herring or Miguel Berchelt.

“Sanchez lacked experience, but he showed tremendous guts. Oscar Valdez fought him back and showed his championship heart,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum after the fight. “We’re going to look for a fight later on in the year between Valdez and Carl Frampton if Frampton is successful in his next fight.”

We’ll see where Valdez goes from here later on in the year, but as of last night, the champion retains in Reno.