A lot has happened yesterday at the Desert Diamond Casino Arena in Glendale, Arizona, as one of the highlights of the evening was Oscar Valdez, the 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist and former two-division world champion squaring off against Liam Wilson (13-3, 7 KOs). This main event, presented by Bob Arum’s Top Rank and broadcast live on ESPN and ESPN+, saw Valdez demonstrating why he remains one of the most respected figures in boxing today, and now it’s time to let you know why.
In the opening rounds, Wilson truly gave it his all. Yet, as the match progressed, Valdez rose to the occasion, and the turning point came in the seventh round with Valdez launching a fierce assault, a flurry of punches that left Wilson with no answer and the referee was forced to step in and end the fight in a favor of Valdez.
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In the co-main event, the spotlight was on Seniesa Estrada (26-0, 9 KOs) and Yokasta Valle (30-3, 9 KOs), clashing to unify the minimumweight division. With both champions entering the ring, Estrada holding the WBA and WBC titles and Valle the IBF and WBO, expectations were high. Over ten thrilling rounds, both fighters were showing why they’re considered the best. In the end, Estrada narrowly secured the victory - definitely a closely fought battle.
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The undercard had also its own highlights, including the victory of Raymond “Danger” Muratalla (20-0, 16 KOs) over Xolisani Ndongeni (31-5, 18 KOs) in a junior welterweight clash, and Lindolfo Delgado (20-0, 15 KOs) knocking out Carlos Sanchez (25-3, 19 KOs).
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Moreover, heavyweight sensation and 2020 Olympic Silver Medalist, Richard “Tee Kee” Torrez, Jr. (9-0, 9 KOs), continued his unbeaten streak with a first-round stoppage against Donald Haynesworth (18-9-1, 16 KOs).
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Image Credit: Top Rank