Rodrigo 'Rocky' Valdez

Rodrigo 'burst' into the Top 10 of the Welterweight Division on February 14, 1970.

The Forum - Los Angeles

23 year-old Rodrigo scored a stunning and spectacular (KO 1) over David Oropeza.

Rodrigo with a record of 28-2-2 (15 KO's) was brought in to be an opponent
for Arizona - David Oropeza 13-0-0 (9 KO's).

David Oropeza was the 1969 National Golden Gloves Welterweight Champion,
and was projected as a future opponent for Welterweight Champion - Jose Napoles.

Rodrigo nailed Oropeza with a right-cross moments after the bell started Round 1,
and Oropeza fell to the canvas like he had been hit by a 'wrecking ball'.

When Oropeza got up, Rodrigo then chased him all over the ring, pounding him with
unanswered punches, before trapping Oropeza on the ropes, where he pounded his
head and body, driving the Arizona Welterweight took the canvas.

It was a 'major' west coast upset. Rodrigo was ranked as the #8 Welterweight after that win.

 

Colombia,

February 14, 1970

The Forum - Los Angeles

Rodrigo Valdez (KO 1) over David Oropeza

That bout was on the undercard of the Jose Napoles vs. Ernie Lopez - Welterweight
Championship Bout.

Rodrigo, now with a record of 29-2-2 (16 KO's), jumped up to #8 as a Welterweight.

Rodrigo was being considered as a May 1970 opponent for Jose Napoles.

But 16-days later, (March 2) in Madison Square Garden, Rodrigo was upset (L Dec 10) by Pete Toro.

 

March 2, 1970

Madison Square Garden - New York

#8 Ranked Welterweight - 5' 9 1/2" - 150 lb. Colombian - Rodrigo Valdez was 'upset' by
veteran Welterweight - 5' 8" 151 lb.Pete Toro, by a 10-Round Majority Decision.

The 'Decision Loss' will cost the 23 year-old Colombian a chance at the Welterweight
Champion - Jose Napoles.

Rodrigo who came into the ring with a record of 29-2-2 (16 KO's) was 'one' fight away from
a Welterweight Championship bout, and was using this bout as a tune-up.

Pete Toro, the 32 year-old veteran Welterweight out of New York, was not considered a
dangerous opponent. Toro, with a record of 26-11-3 {8 KO's}, a tricky boxer - was supposed
to be a good work-out for Valdez.

But, Pete Toro opened up by working fast, by leaping in and scoring with quick left-rights,
before darting back out to squeak out the first 2-Rounds.

Rodrigo started to press hard in Round 3, and appeared to out-hit Toro in Rounds 4, 5, and 6.

Late in Round 6, Rodrigo really raked Pete over with a two-fisted attack.

In Round 7, Valdez appeared to be coming on strong, when Toro landed a left hook and
grazing right-hand to Valdez' chin, before falling into Valdez, forcing Rodrigo to fall.

It was ruled a knockdown, but it wasn't.

Rodrigo pressed hard in Round 8 and 9, but he was met by crisp counter-punches
from the cagey veteran. Rodrigo was arm-weary during some good exchanges in
Round 9, and looked spent.

Pete Toro out-worked Rodrigo in the final round, and earned a Majority Decision.

Scorecards
* 6-3-1 (Pete Toro)
* 6-3-1 (Pete Toro)
* 5-5-0 (Even)

 

Pete Toro 'spoiled' Rodrigo Valdez' Madison Square Garden debut.

The 32 year-old - 150 lb. veteran showed good boxing skills and very good movement,
though the 151 lb. Rodrigo was the aggressor throughout most of the rounds.

A close bout, where Pete Toro scored a 'controversial' flash-knockdown in Round 7.

Pete threw a quick left hook and right hand that caught Rodrigo on the chin, but as Pete
moved forward into Rodrigo, their feet tangled and Rodigo fell on the seat of his pants,
but bounced up immediately and was unhurt.

Our friend, Tony Perez was the Referee.

Pete Toro, a quick-fisted and cagey boxer.

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A Rodrigo Valdez vs. Jose Napoles bout in mid-1970 for the Welterweight Championship
or a 150 lb. non-title bout in 1971 would have been fantastic.

And, Rodrigo could have played with the 154 lb. Light-Middleweight Championship
from 1971 thru 1973, a weight he could have easily made at that time according to Gil Clancy.

A powerful hook artist.

1970 Common Opponents - Pete Toro

March 2, 1970

Rodrigo Valdez (23 1/2) - 5' 9 1/2" - 151 lbs. - with a record of 29-2-2 {18 KO's}, and ranked as the #8 Welterweight.

Rodrigo Valdez loses a 'Majority' 10-Round Decision to 150 lb. Pete Toro (New York)
at Madison Square Garden, inhis first bout at the famous arena.

Rodrigo is the aggressor and harder puncher, but the scrappy 32 year-old veteran 'slick-boxing'
journeyman Welterweight with a record of 26-11-3 {8 KO's}, is just a shade quicker with his
punches over the first 2-Rounds.

Rodrigo starts to really pound in hard punches from Rounds 3 thru 5, but Toro who has a rock-jaw also,
takes everything Rodrigo can throw, and comes back with his one-two counters.

In Round 6, the boys go at it toe-to-toe, each slugging away. Late in the round, Rodrigo, who is
throwing punches in bunches, appears to stun Toro who is on the ropes. But, Rodrigo cannot
land the finisher. Toro spins off the ropes and rallies over the last 10-seconds, including nailing
Rodrigo with a bomb right-hand.

After 6-Rounds, it appears to be all 'Even' {3-3-0}.

Opening of Round 7, Rodrigo is pressing looking to slug away, while Pete is looking counter, Suddenly
Pete jumps in with a sweeping left hook, and right-cross which hits Rodrigo on the point of the chin.

Rodrigo's legs go out, as Pete is moving forward into the Colombian. Rodrigo goes down, but bounces
up immediately. It is scored a 'flash-knockdown', as Rodrigo spreads his arms out wide apart, in a
gesture of he can't believe it, and looks at his corner. He also tells Referee Tony Perez it was a push.

Regardless, it was ruled a 'knockdown'. From there, Pete and Rodrigo fight an 'Even' 7th Round, but
the officials score it for Toro, as a result of the 'flash-knockdown'.

In Round 8, Rodrigo came out winging, but Pete was just a bit slicker, by smartly counter-punching
over the wide hook swinging Rodrigo. Pete nailed Rodrigo coming forward with lead right hands, several
times. By Rounds end, Rodrigo was arm-weary, and his punches were much slower.

In Round 9, Rodrigo was the aggressor, as the cagey veteran Toro just rested and smartly counter-punched.
Rodrigo had no snap on his punches, as Toro would slip and slide, and come back with a quick one-two.

In the final round, Rodrigo was the aggressor, but his punches were slow and had no power left. By mid-round,
Pete took over, and out-muscled Rodrigo while landing crisp left hooks and right hands.

Ringside Scoring {5-4-1] for Pete Toro.

Rodrigo Valdez analysis,

The 23 1/2 year -old Colombian is very strong, and throws powerful hooks. But, he is a 'Head-Hunter', and
wings his punches. Rodrigo charges straight forward, and looks to take out his opponent from the start.
He fails to pace himself, as he is willing to throw punches for the entire 3-minutes of a round.

His left jab, is non-existent, and he does not know how to set up his opponent for a counter-punch. His
style is predictable, as he just moves forward and bombs away. Though he has the power, he is not
a good body puncher. And his stamina, fades after 7-Rounds, because of a high punch-rate in the early
rounds, causing his arms to get weary.

Rodrigo has a rock-jaw, and has been able to withstand punches from light-hitting and mediocre power
punchers. Defensively, he is poor, as he can be hit with left hooks and counter right-hands.

Rodrigo is very dangerous early, but he better learn to pace himself, as the better quality fighters will
out-smart him over the second-half of a bout, just like Pete Toro did.

Is he ready for Welterweight Champion - Jose Napoles now, we think not. Rodrigo is 6-fights and a
year away from the 30 year-old Champion.

 

Saturday Night - September 1, 1973

New Caledonia (French Island off the east coast of Australia of all places)

Rodrigo's 'first win' over Bennie Briscoe in New Caledonia was a solid performance.

For the NABF Middleweight Championship.

Bennie was ranked #3 WBA, and Rodrigo was ranked #4

Bennie was a 3-1 Betting-Favorite.

 

Mr. Bogota,

Here is the general description of the Saturday Night - September 1, 1973 bout

Bennie Briscoe vs. Rodrigo Valdez I

It was held at the Stade, Numa-Daly Magneta Stadium in Noumea, New Caledonia

Attendance; 11,000

It was for Bennie's NABF Middleweight Championship.

The 30 year-old Briscoe, was the #3 WBA Middleweight at 5' 9" and 158 1/2 lbs. Bennie
had a record of 46-11-1 (39 KO's), and was a 3-1 Betting Favorite.

Bennie had gone 16-2-0 (16 KO's) in his last '18-bouts', and his only losses were to
Carlos Monzon for the Middleweight Champions, and a 10-Round Split-Decision loss
to Luis Vinales, that he corrected in a rematch by (KO 7).

The 26 year-old Colombian, was the #4 WBA Middleweight at 5' 9 1/2" and 156 1/4 lbs.
Rodrigo had a record of 47-4-2 (30 KO's), and had gone 17-0-0 (14 KO's) since
May 1970 (3 1/2 years).

The general feeling, was that Bennie's hard hooks and experience would be a little
too much for Rodrigo, and that Bennie was too strong at this time. Plus, if Bennie
won this fight, he had a rematch lined up with Carlos Monzon for early-1974.

The Fight,

Just like everybody expected, it was Bennie who took command early, as he was
the stronger fighter. He bounced zinging hard hooks off of Rodrigo's head
during the first 4-rounds, rocking the Colombian back on his heels several times.

Several of Bennie's left hooks landed on Rodrigo's right eye, causing it to swell.

But, Rodrigo hung tough and showed tremendous resilience, and started to battle back
in Round 5.

By Round 6, Rodrigo's right eye was badly swollen, but he fought back with a rage,
scoring with his own hard left hooks, and right hand bombs. Rodrigo swept Rounds
7, 8 and 9. - And both fighters fought on even terms over the last 3-Rounds.

Ringside Scoring had it for Rodrigo {6-4-2 in Rounds]

It was considered a 'major upset'.

 

September 1, 1973

'Rodrigo Valdez Upsets Briscoe'

The Associated Press reported that Rodrigo Valdez had a puffy right eye
early in the bout, and it was badly swollen in Round 6.

A hard-fought bout, that was entertaining, as both fighters exchanged hard
hooks during several wild exchanges.

Rodrigo started to take over in Round 6, and was the sharper fighter
by landing more punches.

The decision was roundly boo'd by the New Caledonia crowd, and Bennie Briscoe
was visbly upset when the ring announcer made the call.

The NABF Championship in Noumea, New Caledonia...........:huh

Melanio Porto, Rodrigo's manager, had some kind of connection with a
French Fight Promoter -

Only guess is that the French Promoter put it together in hopes of
getting a future Championship bout there with Carlos Monzon, or possible
version of the WBA or WBC Middleweight Championship, as rumors of
Monzon getting stripped of one version were floated around.

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