Former featherweight world titlist Oscar Valdez made a successful move up to the junior lightweight division — just not against the opponent he thought he would be facing – and earned a shot at a world title in a very tough fight.
Valdez survived a second-round knockdown and some shaky moments to stop Adam Lopez in the seventh round of their 130-pound title elimination bout in the main event of the Top Rank Boxing on ESPN+ card on Saturday night inside The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
Valdez was supposed to face Adrian Gutierrez but he showed up at Friday’s weigh-in at a shocking 141 pounds, 11 over the contract weight.
Lopez was supposed to face Luis Coria in a 10-round preliminary bout at featherweight, but with Gutierrez so heavy, Top Rank offered Lopez the opportunity to face Valdez, whom he has known for years and wanted to fight. Lopez consulted with trainer Buddy McGirt and agreed to the new assignment and bigger paycheck.
Lopez (13-2, 6 KOs), 23, of Glendale, California, gave a tremendous effort and had his moments but Valdez (27-0, 21 KOs), 28, a two-time Olympian from Mexico, drew on his vast experience advantage to help him win and propel him into a mandatory shot against countryman Miguel Berchelt, who was all smiles in the ring after the fight when he and Valdez embraced.