Q&A: Edwin Valero! [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] December 14, 2007 [/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]By Karl Freitag / Photos: Big Joe Miranda This content is protected [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] This content is protected [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] This content is protected [/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]At 22-0, 22 KOs, unbeaten WBA super featherweight champion Edwin Valero is the goods. He may be the most brutal fighter in boxing. A merciless destroyer in the ring, his opponents last only an average of 1.8 rounds against him. He has 19 first round knockouts. He's considered by many to be the division's biggest threat to Manny Pacquiao. And, he's a world champion banned from fighting in the United States. [/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]An incredibly hard punching southpaw, Valero never heard the bell ending the first round in his first 18 fights. After opening his career with an amazing 18 consecutive knockouts, Valero won the world title in his 20th fight against Vicente Mosquera by tenth round knockout and has defended the title twice.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]However, it hasn't been a completely smooth ride for the champion. Literally. Valero suffered a head injury in a motorcycle accident 18 months before he started his pro career. He then went on to score twelve consecutive knockouts and everything was great until just before a big nationally televised fight, a routine MRI revealed "a black spot." Valero was placed on medical suspension by the New York State Athletic Commission and his career was put on hold for over a year. [/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Finally, Valero resumed his career outside the United States. He has since relocated with his family to Tokyo, Japan and has flourished under the promotional banner of Akihiko Honda's Teiken Promotions. Both Valero and Honda, hope to get the U.S. suspension overturned allowing Valero to get into the lucrative superfight mix against the likes of Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Fightnews spoke to the champion about Saturday night's world title defense against #13 ranked Zaid Zavaleta (15-2-3, 11 KOs), headlining the "Cancun: Night of Champions" pay-per-view card and more. What is your opinion of Zaid Zavaleta? Is he a threat?[/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]I have not seen him fight. Theyre all a threat. [/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Because of your perfect KO record, is there extra pressure on you to get a knockout each fight? [/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]No. There was when I was going for 19 [consecutive] first round KOs. Then the pressure was lifted. [/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Do you have any problems making 130? Will you be moving to lightweight anytime soon?[/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]No, I made weight yesterday. Maybe [I'll go to 135] depending on what is out there. [/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez are fighting in March. Who will win that fight?[/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Pacquiao wins. [/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Do you want to face the Pacquiao-Marquez winner?[/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]I will fight either, winner or loser. [/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]How do you like living in Japan?[/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]It's difficult, but I made the sacrifice. [/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Do you hope to fight again in the USA? Are there still problems getting a boxing license?[/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Yes! We are hoping that problem gets resolved soon. I am able to fight everywhere else, why not in the U.S.? I have passed the tests in every country I have fought. I am sure I would pass them in U.S. [/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]There was a report a few months ago that you were stabbed in Merida, Venezuela. Set the record straight. What happened?[/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Nothing happened. Someone made it up. Source: http://www.fightnews.com/freitag275.htm [/FONT]
