Oscar Valdez-Robson Conceição set for September 10 in Tucson

TUCSON, Ariz. (July 20, 2021) — WBC tremendous featherweight world champion Oscar Valdez authored a title-winning knockout for the ages in February over Miguel Berchelt. For his encore — and the primary protection of his title — the undefeated two-time Mexican Olympian will make his desert homecoming.

Valdez (29-0, 23 KOs) will look to make it 30 for 30 in opposition to undefeated 2016 Brazilian Olympic gold medalist Robson Conceição on Friday, Sept. 10 from the AVA Amphitheater at On line casino Del Sol in Tucson, Arizona.

A local of Nogales, Mexico, Valdez moved to Tucson as a younger baby and spent his elementary college years there earlier than returning to Mexico.

Within the 10-round co-feature, undefeated junior light-weight star Gabriel Flores Jr., from Stockton, California, will combat Mexican veteran Luis Alberto Lopez. Valdez-Conceição and Flores Jr.-Lopez will stream dwell and solely on ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Promoted by Prime Rank, tickets beginning at $25 go on sale Tuesday, July 27 at 10 a.m. MST and will be bought by visiting Etix.com.

“Oscar Valdez is coming off a career-best efficiency and needs to placed on a spectacular exhibiting in entrance of the good Tucson followers,” mentioned Prime Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Conceição has been ready for this shot ever since he turned professional, and having promoted him for his whole profession, I do know he’ll be at his perfect. We’ve an incredible co-feature, because the younger Flores desires to show he’s a contender to look at, and he can do this by beating a troublesome Mexican in Luis Alberto Lopez.”

Valdez cemented his standing as one of many faces of Mexican boxing along with his Tenth-round knockout over longtime champion Berchelt. He’s 8-0 in world title fights, together with six defenses of the WBO featherweight world title he received in July 2016. Valdez and Conceição fought as amateurs within the gold medal match of the 2009 Pan American Video games, with Conceição prevailing by a single level. Valdez turned professional almost 4 years earlier than Conceição (16-0, 8 KOs), who made historical past as the primary Brazilian boxer to seize Olympic gold. A local of Bahia, Conceição made his professional debut in November 2016 on the Manny Pacquiao-Jessie Vargas undercard and knocked out 4 of his first 5 foes. Final October, he survived an early knockdown to edge Louie Coria by unanimous determination. He final fought April 10 in Tulsa and knocked out Jesus Antonio Ahumada within the seventh spherical.

“I’m very excited to combat in my second house, Tucson, Arizona, the place I’ll have my first protection of the WBC tremendous featherweight world title,” Valdez mentioned. “It motivates me to know that I’ll defend the title in entrance of my buddies and my household, and I can be prepared to place it on the road as in all my fights. I’m coming to provide an incredible present to my folks, and I can’t wait to see you on Sept. 10.”

Conceição mentioned, “I’ve been ready my complete life for this chance, and that’s why I’m coaching with nice dedication. I’ll symbolize my household and Brazil. I already received a gold medal for my nation and now I’ll carry house a world title. With nice dedication, I’ll ship an incredible efficiency. It will likely be a real spectacle!”

Flores (20-0, 7 KOs) made historical past in 2017 when, at 16 years previous, he turned the youngest fighter ever to signal a promotional contract with Prime Rank. He went 3-0 in 2020, together with a shutout determination over Matt Conway on the Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury II undercard. Flores carried out 3 times contained in the MGM Grand Las Vegas Bubble, punctuated by a sixth-round stoppage over former world title challenger Jayson Velez in February. Lopez (22-2, 12 KOs), from Mexicali, Mexico, has received 5 straight bouts since a 2019 determination loss to Ruben Villa. He notched his signature win final July with a cut up determination over Andy Vences.

“That is the following step in my journey in the direction of a world title, and I’ll convincingly defeat Lopez,” Flores mentioned. “I’m going to show as soon as once more that I’m prepared for the following degree.”

Lopez mentioned, “I respect matchmaker Brad Goodman and Prime Rank for the chance to combat Gabriel Flores Jr. I do know he’ll be ready to provide every thing on Sept. 10, however so am I, and I assure nothing however my perfect. I’m a person of few phrases, and I’ll let my actions do the speaking contained in the ring.”

The undercard, streaming dwell and solely on ESPN+, will function Japan’s undefeated WBO flyweight world champion Junto Nakatani (21-0, 16 KOs) defending his title in opposition to Puerto Rican former world champion Angel “Tito” Acosta (22-2, 21 KOs). Nakatani, who has by no means fought outdoors of Japan, knocked out Filipino contender Giemel Magramo in eight rounds final November to win the vacant world title. A former Japanese flyweight champion, Nakatani has received 4 straight bouts by stoppage. Acosta, who made three profitable defenses of the WBO mild flyweight crown, has received two fights since a debated Twelfth-round stoppage by the hands of Elwin Soto. Acosta was main on all three scorecards when he was stopped on his toes early within the spherical.

The ESPN+ undercard may also see undefeated Puerto Rican sensation Xander Zayas (9-0, 7 KOs) in a six-round junior middleweight bout in opposition to an opponent to be named and light-weight sensation Raymond Muratalla (12-0, 10 KOs) in an eight-rounder.

Additionally scheduled to seem in eight-round bouts: 2016 Mexican Olympian and junior welterweight prospect Lindolfo Delgado (12-0, 11 KOs), rising junior light-weight René Telléz Girón (15-1, 9 KOs) and Mexican junior welterweight knockout artist Omar Aguilar (21-0, 20 KOs).

Press launch courtesy of Prime Rank.