Newly-crowned WBC super-featherweight champion Oscar Valdez would prefer not to rematch former title holder Miguel Berchelt and is targeting unifications at 130lbs.
Before Saturday’s conclusive 10th round knockout victory, Valdez and Berchelt had all the makings of another great all-Mexican rivalry in the lower weights.
But such was betting underdog Valdez’s surprising dominance, the new WBC king is moving on to new challenges after admitting he felt sad when he realised his fight-ending left hook had left Berchelt motionless on the canvas.
“I would not like a rematch with Berchelt for a lot of reasons. I would like to keep the friendship we have and I want unify or have mandatory fights,” said Valdez. “I think the public was satisfied because we made it clear that I am the superior fighter.
“When I sent him down to the canvas, I was very happy because I achieved my dream, I was jumping and celebrating. I did not realise that he was not responding until I turned around and saw that he was not reacting.
“When I saw him in that manner, it made me very sad. I went over to him to see if he was okay and to thank him. I told him that he is going to be world champion again. I hope that he recovers soon because it is always important to return to the family. I wish ‘Alacran’ Berchelt the best. I am sure that he will return as world champion.”
Main image: Mikey Williams/Top Rank via Getty Images.