Puerto Rico\u2019s little giant Oscar Collazo moved up in weight and knocked out late-replacement Neider Valdez quickly to prove he can handle bigger guys with a knockout win on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Collazo packs power.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt great. They gave me this fight to push me,\u201d said Collazo. \u201cThank God we got the win.\u201d<\/p>\n
The WBO minimumweight title was not at risk, but Collazo (15-0, 12 KOs) moved up two weight classes and quickly vanquished Mexico\u2019s Valdez (15-4-3, 12 KOs) at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, Calif.<\/p>\n
Despite the last-minute change in opponents, Collazo accepted the fight at a heavier weight class and many wondered how he would look.<\/p>\n
Valdez, a Mexican fighter with power, accepted the fight but at 112-pounds in a flyweight contest. Collazo agreed to the terms.<\/p>\n
Many experts wondered if Collazo, who was dominating his weight class with nine consecutive title defenses, could moved up successfully and challenge the champions in the light flyweight or flyweight division.<\/p>\n
Collazo, a confident southpaw with quickness and pop, immediately looked comfortable in the first round as he felt out the Mexican\u2019s power. No problem.<\/p>\n
In the second round \u201cEl Pupilo\u201d went to work. During a quick exchange, Collazo fired a single left cross that turned Valdez around and down. It was a knockdown and the Mexican fighter rose to re-engage. Another exchange of blows followed and this time a right hook connected on Valdez\u2019 temple and down he went again. He quickly got up but it was evident that Collazo\u2019s power was too much for the Mexican. The fighter continued and a sizzling left to the liver dropped Valdez again for a third time. The Mexican fighter\u2019s corner waved the fight over and referee Thomas Taylor stopped the fight at 2:35 of the second round. It was Collazo\u2019s fifth consecutive knockout win.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was looking for it. He was throwing the right with nothing behind it,\u201d Collazo explained. \u201cIt was going to be a knockout. I felt like I had good shots at him. It was a matter of time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now the question is will Collazo remain at flyweight and challenge the flyweight division\u2019s champions like Ricardo Sandoval the WBC and WBA flyweight titlist. Both are promoted by Golden Boy Promotions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe real fight we want is the Mexico\/Puerto Rico rivalry. I want to do that against Ricardo Sandoval. Live from Puerto Rico or from Los Angeles. It\u2019s the biggest, best fight for their weight class today,\u201d said Oscar De La Hoya who promotes both fighters with Golden Boy Promotions.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want it,\u201d said Collazo of a Ricardo Sandoval fight. \u201cI was born for this.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Other Bouts<\/p>\n
Mexico\u2019s Yair Gallardo (12-0, 9 KOs) pressured Canada\u2019s Buneet Bisla (14-2, 7 KOs), including a knockdown early in the fight, to win by unanimous decision after 10 rounds, claiming a regional light heavyweight title.<\/p>\n
Gallardo fought through the constant clinches of Bisla and floored the Canadian fighter with a right cross in the second round. From that point on, the Mexican fighter remained in control of the fight. Bisla had success late in the fight but was never consistent with his punches.<\/p>\n
After 10 rounds all three judges saw Gallardo the winner 97-92, 98-91, 96-93.<\/p>\n
Despite constant clinching by his foe, Ruslan Abdullaev (5-0, 3 KOs) dropped Orestes Velasquez (8-2) early and then finished the job with a lethal left uppercut to the liver to end the super lightweight match at 1:30 of the fifth round.<\/p>\n
Cuba\u2019s Velasquez tried early to gain respect with some right hand shots but quickly discovered that Abdullaev was too tough. Velasquez resorted to clinching despite warnings from the referee. Then the Uzbekistani fighter took matters into his own hands.<\/p>\n
Heavyweight prospect Joshua Edwards (7-0, 6 KOs) needed only two rounds to prove superior to Garreth Payton (7-3) and win by knockout. A right hand to the temple ended the night for Payton who was counted out at 1:06 of the second round in the heavyweight match.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy jab felt crisp and strong. I had to start putting my combinations together,\u201d said Edwards. \u201cI wasn\u2019t even throwing my power.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hot prospect Cayden Griffiths (9-0, 8 KOs) jumped on Mexico\u2019s Alan Ayala (12-7) and ended the welterweight match with a body shot knockout at 2:49 of the third round.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt wasn\u2019t my best performance for sure,\u201d said Griffiths. \u201cObviously it wasn\u2019t the highlight film knockout\u2026he wasn\u2019t on my level.\u201d<\/p>\n