All photos by Mikey Williams/Top Rank
On Saturday, April 22, 2017, Oscar Valdez (22-0, 19 KOs), from Nogales, Mexico, will be making the second defense of his WBO Featherweight title against NABO champion and No. 1 contender Miguel Marriaga (25-1, 21 KOs), from Arjona, Colombia.
The bout headlines a Top Rank pay-per-view telecast which will also feature Gilberto Ramirez, Jessie Magdaleno and the pro debut of U.S. Olympic silver medalist, Shakur Stevenson.
Read on for Round By Round Boxing‘s staff predictions for Oscar Valdez vs. Miguel Marriaga and let us know who you think will win.
Round By Round Boxing Staff Predictions - 2020
| Name | Win | Loss | Total Fights | Win Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Burgos | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0.5 |
| Hans Themistode | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0.66666666666667 |
| R.L. Woodson | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0.8 |
| Robert Contreras | 6 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
Oscar Valdez vs. Miguel Marriaga
Liam Brady, Graphic Designer/Staff Writer
I feel Oscar Valdez will win by decision in this fight.
I believe his combinations, movement and speed, will be too much for Miguel Marriaga, who does not possess the movement and elusiveness to offset a dynamic fighter like Valdez.
Prediction: Valdez
Ty Paul, Staff Writer
This is clearly Oscar Valdez’s biggest test in the young WBO Featherweight champ’s career.
Miguel “The Scorpion” Marriaga’s (25-1, 21 KOs) record is no joke. His only blemish came to Nicholas Walters on a night that Walters missed weight and came in the much bigger man.
Both fighters have heavy hands for 126-pound fighters. Valdez goes to the body as well as any fighter in the Featherweight division.
Marriaga will have his moments, the Colombian is a veteran and is four years senior to Valdez, but I see Valdez stopping Marriaga late in a very high-action fight on the main event of Top Rank’s PPV card at the Stub Hub Center in Carson, CA.
Prediction: Valdez
Julio Sanchez, Photographer
Prediction: Valdez
Sarah Gruber, Staff Writer
This will be a great fight. Both have very heavy hands and lots of talent.
I think Oscar Valdez is the more naturally skilled fighter and should be able to set up and pick his shots better.
I like Valdez in this fight, I think this is his time to shine and I believe he can rise to the occasion to really become a big star.
I don’t see him stopping the tough Miguel Marriaga, but I think he wins decisively. Valdez by decision.
Prediction: Valdez
Amber Williams, Photographer
Prediction: Valdez
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
I didn’t pull the trigger in the Roman Gonzalez vs. Srisaket Sor Rungvisai fight, although I felt the challenger had a good shot at winning that one, so this time, I’m going against the grain and I’m picking Miguel Marriaga to stop Oscar Valdez.
Now, Marriaga has to do a lot things better than he has in recent fights, and if he consistently eats clean leather like he did against Guy Robb, then I can certainly see Valdez winning this fight by stoppage as well.
But, if Marriaga can counter the wide shots that Valdez throws with some power punches of his own, I think things could get interesting because Marriaga has some heavy fists.
Valdez has jumped out to quick starts as of late, so Marriaga has to be prepared for an early onslaught and, as previously mentioned, he has to be more defensively sound.
If Marriaga can take the fight into the later rounds and press the action with well-placed power shots, we may see a new champion.
Prediction: Marriaga
