Tucson fighter Oscar Valdez is returning to the Old Pueblo to defend his WBO featherweight title on September 22nd at the Tucson Arena. He will face Filipino fighter Genesis Servania. Bob Arum, of Top Rank, was also in Tucson to promote the fight.
The other 2 fighters in the main event are Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez who will face Jesse Hart for the WBO super middle weight title.
All 4 fighters come in to the event undefeated, with a combined record of 107-0, and a 97% KO rate.
Valdez returns to Tucson after spending time growing up here in Southern Arizona. The Nogales born fighter said Tucson is a big part of his life, and half of his family still lives here. He last fought here in 2015. He said he told his people that next time he comes back here, he will be with a belt. And now that he has it he says "I'm not planning on leaving that belt here, I'm not planning on losing that belt."
Valdez spoke about how they have to mature as fighters, saying that it's changed now and they feel like they can never leave the gym. Calling boxing a lifestyle now. But he said he doesn't feel like it's hard to keep training. He also noted that having the fight be shown on ESPN is "a great chance to prove who we are."
The biggest fight to come to Tucson in at the convention center was Sugar Ray Leonard, who drew a crowd of about 6,400 fans. Promoters are hoping this fight will reach 5,000 or more.
