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Oscar Valdez didn’t just take the WBC junior lightweight title from Miguel Berchelt tonight, he took it by force, dominating over 10 rounds before knocking Berchelt out hard to become a two-weight world champion.
Valdez (29-0, 23 KO) has had a good career, had a good run at featherweight, won a belt there, but he’s never been as good as he was tonight, never as complete and focused and dominant a fighter against this good an opponent. He’s struggled somewhat with worse opponents, and Berchelt (37-2, 33 KO) came into this on a great run.
People will talk about the weight — Berchelt legitimately had some struggles making 130 on Friday — but man, Valdez was just better. Styles made the fight, and Valdez’s style was superior, full stop. He was a better fighter in basically every way.
With Valdez now arguably the top dog at 130, here’s what some of his fellow pros had to say after his excellent performance, huge KO, and big, big win:
Damn! WTF!@trboxing #BercheltValdez
— Jamel Herring (@JamelHerring) February 21, 2021
I know we’ve had our war of words in the past, but I’m praying for you @AlacranBerchelt. You fought your heart out and there’s nothing to be ashamed of, champ.
— Jamel Herring (@JamelHerring) February 21, 2021
WOW!!!!!!! #BercheltValdez
— Sergio Mora (@TheLatinSnake_) February 21, 2021
Oscar Valdez & Ryan Garcia have exponentially improved leaving ex-trainers for Eddie Reynoso.
— Sergio Mora (@TheLatinSnake_) February 21, 2021
Congrats to Valdez on a beautiful performance tonight! Hope Berchelt recovers 100%. You don’t play boxing. #BercheltVSValdez
— Mario (@Boxer_Barrios) February 21, 2021
Wow Valdez a great shot top a magnificent performance
— Joe Gallagher (@JoeG) February 21, 2021
Holy shit!!!!!!!!!!
— El Finito (@Hector_Tanajara) February 21, 2021
Wow
— Enzo Maccarinelli (@theRealEnzoMac) February 21, 2021
DAYUMMMMM!
— Lamont Roach Jr (@OneOf1x) February 21, 2021
Hell of a way to stop on a dime and generate so much power. Nice shot @oscarvaldez56
— Mykal(Michael) Fox (@ProfessorMyke) February 21, 2021
Valdez just proved a lot of people wrong, including myself. Thought Berchelt was gonna pull this off. Congrats Valdez, huge W. #BercheltValdez
— Luis Angel Feliciano (@Luis_Feliciano) February 21, 2021
What a finish!!
— Umar Sadiq (@TopBoxerSadiq) February 21, 2021
Hope Berchelt is well, he was hurt for a long time and was out before he hit the canvas.#BercheltValdez
Never doubted it @oscarvaldez56 with the ko win and New!!!!
— Carlos Molina (@CarlosMolina562) February 21, 2021
Congrats to @oscarvaldez56 you put on a deadly fistic clinic and showed guile and stamina and a sizzling left hook to defeat @AlacranBerchelt. #BercheltValdez
— James Smitty Smith (@SmittyBoxing) February 21, 2021