Oscar Valdez vs Miguel Marriaga Preview April 22nd
Undefeated WBO Featherweight Champion Oscar Valdez of Mexico will be defending his title against Miguel Marriaga of Colombia this Saturday, April 22nd at the StubHub Center in Carson, California. The fight can be seen live in North America on pay-per-view while fans in the UK can catch the action live on BoxNation. Valdez’s last outing was in November when he stopped Hiroshige Osawa in the seventh round. Miguel Marriaga last fought in December when he stopped Eduardo Montoya in the third round.
Valdez vs Marriaga Odds
Here are the winner odds from online sportsbook 5dimes.eu
- Miguel Marriaga +450
- Oscar Valdez -600
My Pick
The 26-year-old Valdez recently moved back to Mexico from Tucson, Arizona where he grew up, and enters the contest with a perfect record of with 21-0 with 19 Kos to his name. He obviously has better-than-average power with a knockout ratio of 90 per cent. He’s just over 5-feet-5-inches tall with a 66-inch reach. Valdez has 87 rounds of pro experience under his belt since making his debut in 2012. He had a stellar amateur career and is the only two-time boxing Olympian from Mexico. Valdez didn’t manage to win a medal at the 2008 or 2012 Games in Beijing and London.
However, he won a dozen medals in other international competitions and had more than 200 amateur bouts. One of these included a loss to current WBO Junior Lightweight world champion Vasyl Lomachenko. Valdez hasn’t been fighting a steady diet of Grade A boxers, but has beaten the likes of Osawa, Evgeny Gradovich, Chris Avalos, Jose Ramirez, Alberto Garza and Ruben Tamayo. So far he’s had to go the distance just twice in his pro career. This was a 10-rounder against Tamayo in June of 2015 and an eight-rounder against Juan Ruiz the year before.
The 30-year-old Marriaga has an impressive record of 25-1 with 21 Kos. His lone defeat was to then WBA Featherweight champ Nicholas Walters by unanimous decision in June of 2015. Marriaga has a bit of a height and reach advantage as he’s 5-foot-7 and has a 67-inch reach. He has 126 rounds under his belt since 2009. Like Valdez, he also has some dynamite in his fists with a knockout ratio of 81 percent. However, Marriaga has gone the distance three times in his last six bouts. He likes to initiate the action while moving forward and throws power shots to the head and body. He doesn’t use his jab all that well and that could cost him here.
Prediction…
This is a fine matchup between a pair of hard-hitting boxers. Since both fighters have exceptional power their chins are also going to be crucial in this contest. Look for the challenger to have his moments due to his high-pressure style, but Valdez should eventually get into a rhythm and keep his crown by decision or late stoppage.
Close fight, but Valdez should take it.
Play: Valdez -600 @ 5dimes.eu
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Miguel Marriaga betting • Oscar Valdez betting