Can anybody give me some insight about former contender NINO VALDES?

I made a thread about this before this board crashed, and I didn't get too many replies on it, so I just wanna see if anyone else can tell me anything about this guy. I heard the rumors of Marciano's backers supposedly avoiding this guy, but is there anything further anybody can tell me about him? Have any of you seen video footage of any of his fights? Was he skilled? Was he a dangerous opponent? Any information is greatly appreciated.

The only time I've ever even SEEN this guy was when the announcer introduced him to the crowd before the Moore/Marciano fight, he looked pretty damn big.

 

He lost 4 fights in a row in 1953, Bob Baker,Billy Gilliam,Harold Johnson,Archie Moore, (Charles beat Billy Giliam and Coley Wallace stopped him and Moore KO'd Johnson and Baker) Valdez had a good 1954 with a close decision over Charles but won a controversial decision to 5"11 184lb Archie Mcbride. In 1955 Valdez lost another fight to Moore and then was beaten and dropped by 174lb Bob Satterfield(who Charles KO'd in 2) by the way Satterfield also KO'd in 3 rounds Cleveland Big Cat Williams before Liston...Valdez was at most decent, nothing special

 

How the hell was he ever considered a contender?

 

he had a few good sporatic wins but was not consistant

 

We can expect SuzieQ any second now.

 

Bummy Davis' account in that post is one-sided, I think because he's gotten in the habit of talking Valdes down ever since a couple of very imaginative and obsessive Marciano-detractors relentlessly argued that Marciano had ducked Valdes and could/would have lost to him because of his imposing size and ability, leading to everyone else pointing out that Valdes had a mediocre record, was never considered a serious threat to Marciano, and was beaten several times by men Marciano's size and smaller who were not nearly as good as he was.

However, although Valdes was inconsistent and had a spotty record, he did have a very impressive win against ex-champ Ezzard Charles followed by a run of nine wins in a row with three over top 10 opponents in 1953-55, so he was quite deservedly considered a contender at the time. And even when he was on the decline, he managed to beat a few decent name opponents like Brian London, Don Cockell, Mike DeJohn, Pat McMurtry, Johnny Summerlin and Joe Erskine.

On balance, Valdes was a good, but clearly not great, contender.

 

You are right , I am in the habit of pointing out his weaknesses against the smaller men in the division as a habit VS the undermining posters. He was what he was , a decent contender and would be so today

 

Good show. This is how I see it.

 

Valdes was a very big fighter that punched very hard and was durable. He could of gotten a title shot and he was the one guy that Marciano should of fought but didn't. At his best he was a handful.

 

valdes ko 1.

 

Marciano didnt need Valdes, Valdes lost out on Moore and poor showings in regards to a title shot. Marciano fought the RIGHT guys that earn there title shots outside of Cockell, and the Cockell fight was a test run for that nose.

 

I should of said could of fought. I dont think Marciano avoided him, just that he is one of the few contenders that Marciano didn't fight.

 

I go with that, unlike say a Jack Dempsey vs Wills, Valdes had himself to blame for missing out on the title shot.

 

As far as what I heard.... didn't Archie Moore actually earn his title shot at the Rock by beating Nino Valdes? If that's the case, I don't see why he would be accused of ducking him, but I guess any detractor needs something to hold against someone.

 

Pretty much.