WBO featherweight champion Oscar Valdez looks to have his next title defense date set.
According to Ring TV, Valdez will defend his WBO title on the ESPN card at the StubHub Center in Carson, California on March 10, Although an opponent has not been named, the current plan appears to be that former world champion Carl Frampton would challenge for the belt, if all goes well.
Valdez, who is signed to Bob Arum's Top Rank, has held the WBO title since last summer, and made his last title defense on a September 22 Top Rank Boxing on ESPN card. Valdez defeated Genesis Servania via unanimous decision to retain his title for the third time. Valdez is currently billed in to be the headliner for the ESPN card. Valdez also got a taste of fighting on a pay-per-view card when he fought at the April 22 Top Rank card at the California.
Frampton held the WBA featherweight title for a short time after beating Leo Santa Cruz in the summer of 2016. Frampton lost the title in the rematch against Santa Cruz, which took place this past January, but has been largely inactive since the loss. Frampton did end up fighting recently, beating Horacio Garcia via unanimous decision on November 18 in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Undefeated after 23 pro fights, Valdez is also the only two-time Olympian in Mexico’s history. Frampton is also linked to a possible fight against IBF featherweight champion Lee Selby sometime in 2018. Selby is defending his title against Eduardo Ramirez on December 9.
