Queenslander Liam Wilson has promised to finish Oscar Valdez when he returns to the scene of what has been dubbed one of Australian boxing’s greatest robberies, declaring: “He’s going to regret taking this”.
Only a day before Tim Tszyu headlines a blockbuster Las Vegas showcase, Wilson is set to make his own US return to face Valdez, a man who has won world titles in two divisions, in a hyped boxing headliner in Glendale, Arizona on Saturday, March 30 (AEST).
The fight was finally confirmed early on Wednesday morning, with Top Rank boss Bob Arum describing it as “an incredible event”.
In what shapes as a huge weekend for Australian fans, the headliner comes just 24 hours before WBO super welterweight champ Tszyu faces American star Keith Thurman inside the world fight capital’s T-Mobile Arena.
BKFC 57: PALOMINO VS TROUT | SAT FEB 3 | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports
Tim’s parting sledge for ‘coward’ Charlo | 05:02
The event will also mark just over a year since Wilson, inside the same Desert Diamond Arena, suffered a controversial stoppage loss against Mexican star Emanuel Navarrete – who was given the now infamous ’27 count’ when dropped by ‘Mr Damage’ in round four.
Navarrete’s eventual ninth-round finish capped off a controversial week, with Team Wilson having also made accusations of scale tampering after a weigh-in where the Aussie, during official proceedings, came in significantly light.
Yet since that night, Wilson has scored consecutive wins over Carlos Alanis and Jackson England, after the second of which he called out George ‘Ferocious’ Kambosos for an all-Australian showdown.
However, with Kambosos set to face Vasiliy Lomachenko for the IBF lightweight title in Perth this May, Wilson now returns to the scene of his heartbreaking – and extremely contentious – loss to recommence his own push for a world title shot.
Speaking about his push back towards Navarette, and a second shot at the WBO super featherweight title, Wilson said: “Valdez is exactly the fight I wanted and deserve after what I went through against Navarrete.
“The history books show that he beat both of us last year, but this time around we won’t need the officials.
“Valdez is a good fighter, a tough man, but after what I’ve been through already and what I plan on bringing, I believe he’s going to regret taking this fight.”
But as for his rival?
“This fight against Liam Wilson means everything to me,” Valdez said.
“It’s every boxer’s dream to become a world champion, so I have to get past this challenge so I can fight for a world title again.
“I respect Liam Wilson, but in the ring, I’m going to do everything possible
to walk away victorious.”
In the co-feature, women’s WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine champion Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada faces WBO and IBF champ Yokasta Valle collide in an anticipated showdown for the undisputed minimumweight crown.
“Oscar Valdez is the consummate Mexican fighter,” Arum said.
“And he’s facing a skilled, all-action Aussie in Liam Wilson.
“The undisputed title fight featuring two of the sport’s most skilled women is main event-worthy as well. There is no love lost between Seniesa and Yokasta, a long-standing rivalry that promises to deliver in the ring.”
Leapai Jr leaves league to chase boxing | 01:03
Initially making his name as a two-time Olympian, Valdez he since risen up to win world titles in two weight classes — defeating Matias Rueda to capture the WBO featherweight title in 2016 and knocking out Miguel Berchelt in February 2021 to earn the WBC junior lightweight strap.
The co-feature also offers up an intriguing rivalry.
“Yokasta is not on my level and undeservingly carried those belts for too long,” Estrada said.
“Yokasta, her promoter, and her trainer have had a lot to say.
“I’m going to shut them all up.
“I’m leaving Arizona with all the belts and will continue to prove why I’m a pound-for-pound champion.”
Valle said: “I am over the moon that Seniesa finally said ‘yes’ to this big fight.
“In reality, she had no other option because we chased after her so much. She had no alternative but to face me because the great fans of this sport demanded this fight.
“Boxing fans can expect a great fight. Once I get into the ring, I am going to give the performance of a lifetime.”
The undercard will feature a host of unbeaten contenders and rising prospects.
Lightweight contender Raymond “Danger Muratalla (19-0) will fight Argentina’s Agustin Ezequiel Quintana (19-2-1), while US Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. (8-0) will look to retain his 100
percent knockout ratio against Don Haynesworth (18-8-1).
Lightweight prodigy Emiliano Fernando Vargas (8-0), the youngest son of former world champion Fernando Vargas, will also lock horns with Nelson Hampton (10-8).