How much do you really know about Edwin Valero? Enough for an informed opinion? Pt. 1

I see many more negative posts about Edwin "El Inca" Valero than positive ones, but boxing fans are usually highly skeptical about untested fighters they may not know much about. I thought I would take the time to say a few things (maybe clear up some) about the Venezuelan fighter with a perfect record (25(25)-0-0).

People seem to know he had a brain injury, and after that, the details vary widely on what everyone thinks they know regarding that injury. He was riding on a motorcycle in Venezuela in 2001 (without a helmet) and hit a car that went through a red light. This was when he was still an amateur (in which he did very well in his amateur career).

He was thrown quite a distance and fractured his skull. He spent two weeks in the hospital. He had a blood clot (which was not actually on the brain its self). Doctors gave him the option to make a small incision to drain the clot or take medication and wait for it to clear up. He chose surgery because he would be able to fight sooner. It was a simple surgery that went fine. It requires a very small hole be put into the skull to drain the clot.

So, no he does not have brain damage or can be considered to be in any more danger than any other fighter. He has been examined by many physicians since.

After 12 successful fights and having just signed with Golden Boy, he was to fight in New York (his first time on HBO). He had passed all exams before and after every fight, and every one since (but the small incision he had done for the clot was discovered) and what really happened is the New York Commission overreacted. Problem is, once they pull your license, every other state will no matter how your other tests come out.

After he realized he was not going to get his license back anytime soon, he took his power-punching show on the road. He fought back in Venezuela, Cancun, Mexico, Japan, and France. He signed with a Japan based promoter, Teiken.

People say he only beat up Japanese cab drivers during this time, but he actually fought all over the world during his exile from America. He got his title shot against Loco Mosquera and stopped him in the later rounds. Mosquera had never been stopped before. It was a good learning experience for Valero, because he was used to fighters who could not withstand his punch for very long (usually only 1 or 2 rounds).

Valero won this WBA title at 130 pounds. (On an odd side note, Loco Mosquera went to prison shortly after this for being involved in a murder. There's good reason he's called "Loco").

One more thing about the Mosquera fight. Some very uninformed posters say Mosquera scoring a "KD" in their fight means Valero has a "bad chin". If you watch closely, Valero is hit by a punch and the fighter's arms are locked up. After the punch, Valero is swung into the ropes, and a "KD" happens.

I hear how people say he looks so sloppy, has no defense, ect., when they watch some youtube clips of his fights. Well, he's a bit more than this. He was looking for first round KO's every time. He was actually paid a 100k bonus by his promoter to do so. He forget about using most of the previous skill he had learned.

Last year, he finally got licensed in Texas. It still took a year before he had a fight (April 4th of this year in which he won the WBC 135 title against Antonio Pitalua by 2nd round stoppage) because his former promoter, Mr Honda was holding things up after Edwin has been signed to Top Rank. He has only had a few fights the last couple of years because of road blocks in his transition to the states.

Now Top Rank is working on getting Valero's license back in Nevada. It's very hard to get it back once you lose it, even if you are medically fine to fight. I think sometime this year, he will get it back in Nevada as well, and this will help allow him to get more recognized fights.

Valero's had a lot of set-backs, but he never gave up when a lot of fighters would have. He's getting closer to full-filling his dreams. He is now trained by Robert Alcazar who pretty much taught ODLH most of what he ever learned at the pro-level. Alcazar specifically came out of retirement to train Valero. He sees what a lot of others around Valero have seen. That's something very extraordinary. You're in for a treat as a boxing fan as Valero's career slowly but luckily moves forward, and before long reaches the biggest stage.

There's much more to his story, but there you have it. Future Superstar, Edwin "El Inca" Valero!

 

Good to hear. I know a lot is unknown about him with most boxing fans so just thought I put some of his story out there. He's very exciting, and loves to fight. Can't wait to see the next one.

 

No problem. Glad you like it!