We have a new WBC super-featherweight champion and in sensational fashion.
Derrick Lewis wasn’t the only one with a massive KO on this Saturday night.
Oscar Valdez (29-0, 23 KOs) dominated fellow Mexican Miguel Berchelt (37-2-1 NC, 33 KOs) on his way to a truly spectacular and also frightening knockout to become the new WBC super-featherweight champion.
Valdez rocked Berchelt umpteen times in round four and somehow couldn’t actually put him down, but Berchelt did get a count because he was wobbly against the ropes and it was ruled a technical knockdown. As the favored Berchelt recovered and seemingly fought his way back into the contest, Valdez found a second wind and Berchelt was down again in round nine off a quick and brutal combination. Berchelt was clearly in bad shape and struggling to fire off effective punches, and at the end of round 10 he was out for good after a vicious left hook by Valdez.
Watch the video below:
.@oscarvaldez56 HAS DONE IT!!!!!
An explosive left hand at the bell in Round 10 closes a masterful performance, and he is now a 2-time world champion! #BercheltValdez | #AndTheNew | ESPN pic.twitter.com/HFw8eT7Mqm
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) February 21, 2021
KO of the year candidate: ringside angle
Sound up @ESPNRingside
(via @trboxing)pic.twitter.com/tzNKZFQfA3
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 21, 2021
Thankfully, Berchelt was able to get up and to a stool after being down for a few minutes while surrounded by members of the Nevada State Athletic Commission medical team. For obvious reasons he was immediately transported to a local hospital.
Valdez was absolutely superb in there and his work with Eddy Reynoso has paid dividends. His jab was on point, he was noticeably faster, and even if Berchelt might have been drained due to the weight cut, take nothing away from Oscar’s fabulous performance and there’s no doubt that his power carries up from 126 lbs to 130 lbs. This is a signature win that will send shockwaves throughout the division and in world boxing.