Unbeaten two-time Olympian and former WBO World Featherweight champion Oscar Valdez stopped Jayson “La Maravilla” Velez at the “Bubble” MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. In the co-feature Edgar Berlanga scored his fourteenth straight first round stoppage. This was a Top Rank Boxing – Bob Arum promotion.

In the Main Event former WBO World Featherweight champion Oscar Valdez, 28-0 (22), #129 ¾, of Nogales, MEX, stopped Jayson “La Maravilla” Velez, 29-7-1 (21), #130, of Juncos, PR, at 2:23 of the 10th and final round.

In the first round Velez pressed the action outworking Valdez who did get in some good left hooks to the head. In the second round the action continued with Valdez countering with left hooks and combinations while Velez kept coming forward. At the end of the round Valdez had swelling under both eyes with no cut-man except his new trainer Eddie Reynosa. In the third round Valdez showed more opposition finishing the round strong.

In the fourth round Valdez was scoring more accurate punching but throwing fewer punches. Valdez highlighted the round with a double left hook to body and chin of Velez. In the fifth round of a close round Valdez landed a left hook to the chin and down went Velez in the final fifteen seconds for an 8-count by referee Tony Weeks.

In the sixth and seventh rounds Velez kept coming forward walking into punches from Valdez. The left hook from Valdez was the key to the fight and the round. In the eighth round Velez kept up coming forward and had a better round than previously. In the ninth round after a minute Velez landed a low left that cost him a point from referee Tony Weeks. Valdez landed some heavy punches hurting Velez in the second half of the round.

In the tenth and final round at the halfway point a left hook from Valdez on the chin of Velez put him back several steps. In the final minute Valdez landed a left hook to the chin dropping Velez for an 8-count from referee Weeks. Seconds later Valdez had Velez out on his feet forcing referee Weeks to call a halt.

Seems two fights ago Valdez had his jaw broke in a win. Then in his last fight he came off the canvas to win. He is now scheduled to fight for the WBC title against Super Featherweight champion Miguel “El Alacran” Berchelt, 37-1 (33), both from Mexico.

“I felt a little rusty tonight. I still have to improve in the ring and give myself a 7. I have a lot to improve to beat Berchelt. I am hungry. May the best man win,” said Valdez.

In the co-feature WBC No. 1 ranked Super Middleweight Edgar “The Chosen One” Berlanga, 14-0 (14), #169, of New York, NY, knocked out Eric Moon, 11-3 (6), #168 ¾, of Marietta, GA, at 1:02 of the first in a scheduled 8 rounds for his fourteenth straight first round stoppage.

In the first round referee Kenny Bayliss warned Berlanga to keep them up after three punches to the body. Then all of a sudden Berlanga moved Moon against the ropes and landed a blocked right followed by a second right on the side of the head and down went Moon and out. After the fight Berlanga was doing push up’s in the ring. He would later said “due to not following my trainers instructions”.

“This was a step-up for me. We knew each other from the amateurs. I’m still young in the sport and want a title fight someday but now I’m growing. I want to thank my team and especially my mom. I love you mom,” said Berlanga

Former WBO World Super Bantamweight champion Isaac “Royal Storm” Dogboe, 21-2 (15), #126, of Ghana and Tampa, FL, stopped Chris “The Hit Man” Avalos, 27-8 (20), #125 ¾, of Lancaster, CA, at 2:25 of the 8th and final round.

In the first round former champion Dogboe was the aggressor using a jab with that his new trainer Barry Hunter had him working on. He outworked the countering Avalos. In the second round Dogboe went more to the body then the previous round. Avalos made the round closer but still a Dogboe round. In the third round two-time world title challenger Avalos was more offensive in another close round.

In the fourth round’s final minute Dogboe hurt Avalos with a left hook to the body. It was a big round for Dogboe. In the fifth round Dogboe landed a good right and seconds later lost a point on a low blow that was a right on the belt line. There were no previous warnings by referee Russell Mora. In the sixth round Dogboe picked up the pressure especially to the body of Avalos. In the final seconds Dogboe turned southpaw and did a little “show boating”.

In the seventh round at the halfway point Avalos flurried with half a dozen punches. By the end of the round Avalos was doing much holding. For Dogboe it had been 14 months without a fight and 8 months for Avolos. In the eighth and final round Avolos looked spent and was warned by referee Mora to “show me something”. A left hook to the head from Dogboe hurt Avolos followed by a sweeping right hand to the head that forced referee Mora to stop the fight.

“It’s been a tough 14 months away from the ring. I want to give Praise to the Lord for the win. I could hear my trainer saying to take my time. I want to thank ESPN and my teammates the Head Bangers,” said Dogboe. This writer met Dogboe when he fought in Philly and was a real nice and religious young man.

NABF Light Fly champ at Flyweight Kim Clavel, 12-0 (2), #109 ¾, of Montreal, CAN, shut out Natalie “The Barracuda” Gonzalez, 6-1 (1), #109 ¾, of New Rochelle, NY, over 8 action packed rounds.

In the first two rounds the action was good with Clavel having an edge. In the third round Clavel stepped up with power shots taking the round. In the fourth round Clavel continued controlling the bout with both finishing the final seconds in an all action round. Clavel had a small red mark outside her left eye at the end of the round. In the sixth round Clavel continued winning every round. Best of the round was a Clavel missed left hook followed by a right on the chin of Gonzalez.

In the seventh round Gonzalez kept in the fight but didn’t seem to win a round. Twice referee Russell Mora had her go to her corner to tape her pig tail giving both a breather. In the eighth and final round both fighters let it all hang out right to the bell.

Scores were Lisa Giampa, Patricia Morse Jarman and Dave Moretti had it 80-72 as did this writer.

Clavel had returned to nursing during the pandemic and rec’d an ESPY award.

Super Lightweight southpaw Elvis “The Dominican Kid” Rodriguez, 8-0-1 (8), #141 ¾, of Santo Domingo, DR, knocked out Dennis Okoth, 4-4-1 (2), #141 1/2, of Siaya, Kenya, at of the second round of a scheduled 6 rounds.

In the first round the southpaw Rodriguez who had fought just 19 days ago scoring a first round stoppage is trained by Freddy Roach. He was a bit busier than Okoth in the round. In the second round Rodriguez followed a jab with a left to the chin and down went Okoth and the fight was over! Referee Tony Weeks didn’t need to count.