KO King: Valero ready for DeMarco Pic: ©edwinvalero.net
Edwin Valero will defend his WBC lightweight title against Antonio DeMarco on Saturday in Mexico and the heavy hitting Venezuelan is looking to notch his 27th knockout on the trot.
Valero, 26-0 (26 KOs), won his first 17 professional bouts by first-round knockout and has stopped every opponent since. The two-time world champion made his first defence of his WBC crown in December in seven rounds against Hector Velazquez, but insists he would be just as happy with a points victory.
“There was pressure on me when I was winning all those fights in the first round, but once that ended so did the pressure,” said Valero.
“Now, I take it round by round and let the knockout come. I don’t go into any fight looking for a quick knockout.
“I try and measure my opponent and get my timing down and go from there. I’m in there to do a job, which is to win and stay undefeated and keep my title.
“If this goes the distance and I win, I’ll be just as happy as if I win by knockout. I am a pressure fighter, but I know I have to also fight smart.”
Valero, who also claimed the WBA title at super featherweight, is extremely confident going into the bout and maintained his experience will prevail.
“I’m very excited about this fight and thrilled to be fighting on Showtime,” said Valero who makes his debut on the TV station which has a long history in the sport.
“DeMarco is a good young fighter who has great aspirations, like most young fighters, and I respect him a lot. But I believe my experience will be an important key. He hasn’t fought the kinds of fighters I have and he hasn’t fought in world title fights. I’m very confident that once I connect with one of my power punches, he will feel it.”
The 28-year-old revealed he doesn’t study his opponents, and to be fair to the knockout artist it has worked so far, but prefers to make his assessment of his opponent in the ring.
“I like to make adjustments in real time, in the ring,” he said. “Fighters give you tapes but then they fight differently. I’ve fought a tall lefty once before and won so I expect to be comfortable in the ring. If I’m patient and fight my fight, I’ll get inside and land my shots.”
Those shots will be damaging if DeMarco allows the champion to unleash, but the Mexican challenger has a plan against the man who has 18 first round KOs on his record.
“Valero’s a great champion of the world and it’s an honour to get into the ring with him,” he said. “I have a lot of respect for him as a person and for what he has accomplished.
“There’s a reason he’s champ and he deserves all the accolades. But, for me, once I get in ring, it is my job to win and walk away victorious.
“That means I have to not only box and move but also to fight and earn his respect. I know what kind of fighter he is, I know his record and that he hits hard. But I’ve been working on several strategies with my team. In the event one doesn't work, you have to switch it up and make the proper adjustments to win.”
