Who will Win the Edwin Valero vs. Antonio DeMarco Championship Fight?
On February 6, Edwin Valero will defend his WBC Lightweight Title against interim champion Antonio DeMarco in DeMarco’s homeland of Mexico. This championship fight will take place at the Arena Monterrey in Monterrey Mexico. Expect a fast paced, aggressive and entertaining battle of the hard-punching southpaws.
The Fighters:
Edwin Valero26-0 (26 KO’s) Height: 5’7 ½” Reach: 67 ½” WBC Lightweight Champion Last 5 Fights: Valero’s last 5 fights have all ended in similar fashion to all 26 of his fights, which have been by devastating knockout. However, none of his most recent fights were first round knockouts, with the veteran Hector Velasquez and Takehiro Shimada bowing out after 7 rounds, and Nobuhito Honmo after 8 rounds, respectively. Valero’s overwhelming power and aggression from the opening bell has been too much for all of his opponents. | Antonio DeMarco23-1-1 (17 KO’s) Height: 5’10” Reach: 72” Interim WBC Lightweight Champion Last 5 Fights: DeMarco has emerged victorious in his last five fights. None of his most recent opponents have been in the same league as Valero and some may argue that his opponents have not been of the same caliber as Valero’s opponents. In DeMarco’s most recent bout, he won the interim WBC Lightweight title by way of 10th round TKO over Jose Alfaro. |
Valero vs. DeMarco Preview
Edwin Valero is coming into this title defense like a heat seeking missile, obliterating absolutely everything that stands in his path. He has successfully knocked out all 26 of his opponents, including 19 in the first round. Antonio DeMarco, the vacant WBC Lightweight title holder is hoping to change those statistics, although it will be no easy task.
DeMarco is coming into this fight having not lost in any of his last 16 fights. He should be entering this fight feeling confident after recently winning the vacant WBC title over Alfaro. Similar to Valero, DeMarco is also a power puncher and is looking to counter Valero’s aggression with some of his own well timed power shots.
The main question that comes to mind is whether or not DeMarco’s power punching, toe-to-toe style can equal or pass Valero’s unsurpassed power, aggression and energy. DeMarco will certainly not try to utilize a jab or outbox Valero. He will most likely stand toe to toe with Valero, coming straight ahead and throwing huge shots.
DeMarco is almost 3 inches taller than Valero and has a reach that is 4 ½ inches longer than Valero’s but don’t expect this advantage to come into play too much during the fight. DeMarco is a puncher and is not the type of fighter who would utilize this advantage by working the outsides of the ring and jabbing. Although DeMarco has this height and reach advantage, the edge definitely goes to Valero in the power and aggression department.
Valero vs. DeMarco Prediction
To quote Clubber Lang in Rocky 3, DeMarco is tailor made for Valero and is going to get hurt. Expect more of the same from Valero in this fight. Valero will pressure DeMarco from the opening bell. This will be a very fast paced battle of the punchers and Valero will smother DeMarco, giving him nowhere to escape. Yes, DeMarco is developing into a solid power puncher but this step up in competition will be a little much for him.
This fight will be exciting to watch, but DeMarco’s style as an aggressive slugger will not match up well against someone like Valero who is more aggressive, more powerful and more experienced than the 24 year old DeMarco. Valero will start off the fight aggressively and crank up the heat each round. DeMarco will land some well timed power shots and will do everything he can to counter Valero, but it won’t be enough. Valero will win by 5th round TKO and retain his WBC Lightweight Title.
Photo Credit: Tom Casino / Showtime
