Once he had Pitalua hurt he didn't let him off the hook but let's not get carried away, Pit is 39 with a padded record. Has a KO win over Santa Cruz though.
I doubt Valero will be top of Warren and Roach's hitlist - Darni. Last time he faced an undefeated, South American KO artist it wasn't such a good look for him. Moses would probably be an attractive target...
Tell me how can the WBC let someone like Pitalua ( punch bag) fight for the vacant title? people say Khan-MAB was bad.
Roach wants Valero for Khan, Bob Arum has mentioned it. I doubt Warren would take a trainer's recommendation on a fighter after the Prescott fight.
Pitalua beat Armando Santa Cruz who was robbed against Casamayor for the interim WBC title. The WBC mandated a rematch but Casa didn't give it so the WBC gave Santa Cruz an eliminator against Pitalua.
Pitalua probably isn't as bad as he looked if he managed to KO Santa Cruz. Nobody dealt with Santa Cruz like that. I think Valero just fought extremely well, he never let him do anything. Valero's speed and power pushed him back so he couldn't get a shot off in the first. He was probably having a look. Then he just got caught with a really good shot..and its game over against a good finisher.
He does have little power. His power has never impressed. Where did he show great power? Castle just did the same thing to Earl. Guy is shot beyond belief, ruined by Katsidis. Ricky Burns, who ain't even a puncher at super feather KO'd Gomez, it took Khan hundreds of shots it seemed. Hundreds of shots against Limond and that Danish dude too. He was literally pushing that guy back with like a dozen shots to the face until he fell down, and even then he was stopped by the ref. He seems to specialize in ref stoppages with flurries of arm punches. Not one proper KO on his record. He has little power, just a lot of speed and punches.