Former WBO world featherweight champion Oscar Valdez returns to the ring in a new weight class as he makes his super featherweight debut against a grizzled veteran in Andres “Juarcito” Gutierrez of Mexico. The two will face off on Saturday, November 30, 2019, in a 10-round bout that will headline an ESPN+ event at The Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas in Nevada.
In the co-main event, former two-division world champion Carl “The Jackal” Frampton will face the unbeaten American Tyler “Golden Child” McCreary in another 10-round super featherweight division. It’s going to be an exciting night of boxing on Saturday and we’ve got all the action covered for you.
Oscar Valdez is the former U.S. Olympian who won the WBO featherweight title by knocking out Matias Rueda in 2016. He went on to make six successful title defenses, including one against former world champion Scott Quigg. Valdez is known for his aggressive fighting style, punching power, and terrific punch combinations. Valdez stands 5-7 with a reach of 66 inches while fighting out of the orthodox stance. He has an unblemished record of 26-0 with 20 knockouts. Valdez is coming off a June 9th unanimous decision win over Jason Sanchez to go 7-0 SU in world title fights.
Andres Gutierrez challenged for the WBA featherweight title in 2017 but lost to Abner Mares in 2017. The Jaguar is currently the interim WBC International Silver Featherweight champion. He stands 5-6 tall and has a reach of 67 inches while fighting out of the orthodox stance. He has a record of 38-2-1 with 25 knockouts. His other loss was a majority decision defeat at the hands of another world champion in Christian Mijares. In his last fight, Gutierrez defeated Tomas Roja by unanimous decision for his third straight win at this weight class.
This isn’t an easy fight for Valdez because not only is he fighting at a higher weight class, he is also facing a proven veteran in Gutierrez. The Mexican is young and tough but his skills are limited. Gutierrez is dangerous because he has nothing to lose here as the huge boxing betting underdog. He is going to give Valdez a run for his money but given the difference in skill level, I think Valdez wins every round of this fight. You can tell a class act when you see one and Oscar Valdez is that.
Prediction: Oscar Valdez
Carl Frampton is the pride of Northern Ireland. Known as the Jackal, the 32-year old from Belfast has captured world titles in the super bantamweight and featherweight division. In 2016, Frampton was the Boxer of the Year awardee of the BWAA, Ring, and Espn. Frampton stands 5-5 tall with a reach of 62 inches while fighting out of the orthodox stance. The Jackal has a record of 26-2 with 15 knockouts. Frampton is coming off a decision loss to Josh Warrington last December 2018 and he has lost two out of his last five bouts.
Tyler McCreary is the 5th ranked WBA featherweight but he has fought as a super featherweight in his last three outings. The 26-year old American from Toledo, Ohio has an undefeated record of 16-0-1with seven knockouts. He stands 5-9 with a reach of 65 inches while fighting as an orthodox boxer. Unlike Frampton who hasn’t fought in nearly a year, McCreary is coming off a split decision win over Filipino puncher Jessie Cris Rosales in what was arguably his toughest test to date.
Frampton is coming off an 11-month layoff and ring rust could be an issue here. I expect the Jackal to start slow but I doubt if McCreary can capitalize on that because not only does he not have the punching power to throw Frampton off his game but he doesn’t have the experience to outbox the Jackal. Once Frampton gets his game going, he is going to easily outbox McCreary. I’m not sure if the American can land a significant punch in this fight. I expect Frampton to win an easy decision. The Jackal is such an experienced world champion and it will only be a matter of time when he takes over the fight.
Prediction: Carl Frampton
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