By Minnie Larry
Venue- Casino Del Sol, in Tuscan, Arizona
Date- Friday September 10, 2021
The cloud of suspicion surrounding the main event loomed in the backdrop of the Tuscan sky, as Oscar Valdez (30-0, 23 KOs) set out to defend his WBC super featherweight title against Robson Conceicao (16-1, 8KOs).
Boxing fans were shocked when a Voluntary Anti- Doping Association (VADA) report revealed the unbeaten Mexican phenom tested positive for a FDA approved stimulant (through doctor prescription) for weight loss. The two-weight world titleholder denies taking the VADA banned drug, which led to two failed sample tests.
Margaret Goodman, the VADA President, stood her ground, claiming, “Putting aside these dangers, stimulants can enhance performance in ways that include, but are not limited to, increased metabolic rate, power, and strength. They decrease fatigue, aid in weight loss, and suppress appetite. They can provide an unfair advantage in competition.”
The World Boxing Council President, Mauricio Sulaiman, along with the Pascua Yaqui Tribe Athletic Commission, gave the August 10th bout the-green light, siting the appetite suppressant does not give an unfair competitive advantage.
The Grand Canyon State set the stage for Valdez’s first WBC super featherweight title defense. The first round would see Conceicao start off strong, sticking straight body shots center mass. By the 2nd, a cherry red-riddled Valdez began to answer back with his signature right. In the 5th, Conceicao began playing to the crowd after landing a left and dodging a straight right bullet up top.
A right hand grazed Conceicao in the 7th as Valdez creept into defense mode. By the end of the round, Valdez sealed the scorecard by connecting a left hook to Conceicao’s upper deck. Conceicao lost steam by the 8th while Vargas kicked the action up a notch.
Conceicao is deducted a point in the 9th for rabbit punching. Valdez would suffer a cut under the left eye near the end of the 10th , when a Conceicao shoulder connected to the soft tissue. By the 12th and final round, Conceicao let the showboating get the best of him, as he traded technique for several victory poses and chants. To the victor goes the spoils, as Valdez secured the unanimous decision win, retaining his championship belt.
Scores were: 117-110, 115-112, 115-112
In other action, Sparks immediately flew as Super featherweights Gabriel Flores Jr (20-1, 7KOs) and Luis Alberto Lopez Vargas (23-2, 12KOs) took the ring. The 10-rounder was easily an evening favorite as the contenders exchanged equally matched knuckles, early on. A Lopez faint led to a chin check early in the 4th, resulting in Flores sporting a busted lip.
Lopez continued spreading the distance as his boxing acumen tore away at Flores Jr., who ate blow after agonizing body blow. The fight almost came to an end before the last round, when Flores Sr. threatened to put a stop to the madness if Jr. didn’t show some valor. The lop-sided event would go the distance, with Lopez getting the decision win.
Scores were: 98-92, 100-90, 100-90.
Another title was on the line as Angel Acosta took on Junto Nakatani for the WBO world flyweight title.
A crimson stream began leaking from the nose of Angel “Tito” Acosta (22-3, 21KOs) early in round 2, after being stamped with a straight left by Junto Nakatani (21-0, 17KOs). The fight would pause twice, as the ring doctor examined the Puerto Rican flyweight. The fight would be called in the 3rd by the referee and ring side physician, as the bleeding failed to stop. Nakatani walked away with a TKO win at 2:28 of the 4th- round.
The night of fights kicked off with 19 year old Puerto Rican prospect, Xander Zayas (9-0, 7KOs) taking on fellow super welterweight contender, Jose Sanchez ( 11-1-1, 4KOs) in a 6- round contest. The third round saw an explosion of body blows, as Zayas landed punch after agonizing punch against a dazed Sanchez. Zayas would be denied a knockdown in the same round, when the referee ruled a fall as a slip, leaving the left blow to Sanchez’s dome unanswered. Sanchez would stay upright for the entire fight but would leave a little worse for wear after his nose was busted late in the final round.
Zayas walks away with the unanimous decision win with scores: 60-54, 60-53, 60-5
