The word of the great Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. carries extra weight in Mexico. ‘El Gran Campeon’ was a keen observer last week as a more cautious Oscar Valdez halted Jayson Velez in the 10th round in preparation for a mooted fight with WBC 130lbs champion and Mexican rival Miguel Berchelt, yet Chavez wasn’t impressed with what he saw.
Former WBO featherweight champion Valdez has regularly thrilled with his wars and is now trained by the renowned Eddy Reynoso, noted for his work with Canelo Alvarez. Yet Chavez believes success with one boxer does not guarantee rewards with another, especially when trying to change the style of an established fighter.
“[Valdez] lacked a little more aggressiveness and wasn’t punching as much. I thought he looked ordinary,” Chavez told ESPN Deportes. “That Oscar Valdez, the one I saw, I think is not enough to beat Miguel Berchelt.
“Eddy Reynoso is very good, but with Canelo. We are getting confused, because Eddy Reynoso is not going to do to other fighters what he’s done with Canelo’s style. He’s had Canelo since he was very young.
“Grabbing a fully mature fighter and trying to change his style will only change him a little, but it can also harm him. It really depends on the fighter.”
Reynoso currently works with Ryan Garcia, Julio Cesar Martinez, Luis Nery and Andy Ruiz Jr. amongst others.
Main image: (L) Mikey Williams, Top Rank (R) Julio Cesar Chavez Twitter