by Green Machine
When he died in 2010, WBC lightweight champion Edwin Valero was just breaking through to American audiences. He had just won his 27th bout (and 27th KO) on Showtime’s Showbox program against Antonio DeMarco and his name was being put in the mixing bowl of possible opponents for Manny Pacquiao.
Our goal here is to continue Valero’s career, utilizing the Title Bout Championship Boxing program to see just where Valero could have went had things panned out. Bear in mind that this is a mix of 
reality, fantasy, and wishful thinking. While I am trying to keep things realistic, I also want it to be entertaining so some steps may be taken to create a situation we may have never seen in reality. In some cases real life fights within the division will be a determining factor on the match ups that get made, and simulated results may determine that a Valero opponent (or future opponent) to take a different path than he did in real life.
Feedback is more than welcome, hope you all enjoy what we’ve got going…
At the time of his death, Valero was ranked number one by The Ring, right behind lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez. The division had some real exciting fighters and there were great matches to be made. Our continuance jumps off at the start of April 2010, just two months after Valero KO’d Antonio DeMarco.
All references and use of names, places, events, websites, companies and broadcast networks within this simulation is fictional and strictly for the purposes of adding realism to the project. At no time was anyone or any company except The Boxing Tribune involved in this simulation.
Valero set to take on Edner Cherry in June
April 1st 2010, The Boxing Tribune – Boxing promoter Bob Arum announced earlier today that WBC lightweight champion Edwin Valero would be returning to his homeland in Venezuela to take on former world title challenger Edner “Cherry Bomb” Cherry. Cherry (27-6-2, 16 KO’s) is coming off a three fight win streak, all by stoppage, and is looking to be the first boxer to defeat the power punching Venezuelan. “I’m not here just to last the distance” said Cherry, “I want to win the title. I believe I’ve fought the better opponents and my experience will give me the advantage even in his own country”.
While Cherry has fought a wide range of opposition and held regional title belts, he was unsuccessful in his bid for the WBC Jr. Welterweight title when Timothy Bradley scored a near shut out over 12 rounds. Valero, the WBC lightweight champion, has yet to be defeated in 27 bouts and has knocked out every opponent to face him. His last bout was a ninth round stoppage of Antonio DeMarco in Mexico.
“I am very happy to be home again”, Valero told the Tribune, “and happy to defend my title for my people here in Venezuela. He is an experienced fighter and a tough man but with my people behind me, no on can beat me”.
Valero has recently been mentioned among the stock pile of possible opponents for pound for pound king and WBO welterweight champion, Manny Pacquiao. That fight would require a big jump in weight for Valero if he chooses to go that route, Valero’s also been refused a license to box in the United States due to medical and minor legal issues which is another roadblock in making the potential super-fight.
Valero vs. Cherry is scheduled for June 11th at El Poliedro, Caracas, Venezuela. As of press time there was no definite word on the fights broadcast in regards to U.S. television though Showtime was said to be interested.
CHERRY- BOMBED!
Valero retains WBC crown with fourth round blowout
June 11, 2010, The Boxing Tribune – It was a successful home coming for the champ. Edwin Valero retained his WBC lightweight title earlier tonight with a one sided, four round blowout of Edner Cherry at El Poliedro in Caracas, Venezuela in front of a packed crowd that included WBC President Jose Suliaman and of course promoter Bob Arum.
The fight was all Valero from the start, as Cherry appeared hesitant to engage the champion.
Round One: Cherry is flicking weak jabs and moving backwards, Valero is coming forward but having trouble landing anything solid. A cross / uppercut combo at rounds end by Valero shakes the challenger.
Round Two: Cherry is throwing more punches but they have no steam on them. Valero is still coming forward but every time he comes within punching distance Cherry ties him up. The referee is agitated by all the clinching and warns both fighters. Cherry is staggered badly at the end of the round when Valero lands a straight right. Edner wobbles backwards and only the ropes keep him upright, the round ends and Cherry heads back to his corner unsteady on his feet.
Round Three: Cherry looks better this round, still not throwing hard punches but he’s throwing more of them and moving effectively rather than running and clinching. At the rounds mid point, Valero lands another uppercut that staggers Cherry again. Cherry goes into defensive mode and covers up while Valero is land ripping body shots. The crowd has been extremely loud all night but they see the end coming and the chants of “El Inca” are deafening.
Round Four: All Valero. The champ is landing everything he throws, head shots, body shots, combinations, you name it. Cherry takes a brutal hit to the ribs and can barely stand up right, a follow up head shot nearly drops him right there. Cherry is trying to run but the damage to his ribs is making it hard for him to move. Valero keeps the pressure on and at the closing second of the round, lands a right hook to the body followed by a left cross to the head and Cherry hits the canvas. Cherry gets to his knees but is counted out at the 2:58 mark.
Edwin Valero improved his record to 28-0 (28 KO’s) and retains his WBC lightweight title.
“I knew this would be tough”, said Valero during the post fight interview, “but I trained hard and there was no way I was going to lose. I am very happy to be here in Venezuela and to represent the WBC”.
Valero’s promoter Bob Arum is continuing to work on getting his fighter a license to fight within the U.S. borders. Arum has made no secret that he’s looking to match Valero against multi division titlist Manny Pacquiao if a bout between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather can’t be secured in the near future. Despite the fact that Pacquiao holds the welterweight championship, two weight divisions above Edwin Valero, Arum is confident the fight can be made with both fighters agreeing to a catch weight if Valero refuses to move up to welterweight outright. In any case, there’s plenty of quality matches for Valero within the lightweight division. A unification bout with RING lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez would be a blockbuster anywhere south of Texas, and there’s the whole Jr. welterweight division to look at as well. Regardless of who his opponent is, you can be sure a Valero fight is one you’ll want to tune in for.
Around the Division, other notable lightweight results:
03-12-2010: Anthony Peterson TKO 3 Juan Roman Cruz
03-13-2010: Humberto Soto W 12 David Diaz
03-13-2010: Manny Pacquiao W 12 Joshua Clottey *WBO welterweight title
03-27-2010: Joan Guzman W 12 Ali Funeka II
05-01-2010: Floyd Mayweather Jr. W 12 Shane Mosley
05-15-2010: Michael Katsidis TKO 3 Kevin Mitchell *interim WBO lightweight title
05-15-2010: Humberto Soto W 12 Ricardo Dominguez
05-29-2010: Miguel Acosta KO 6 Paulus Moses *WBA lightweight title
07-31-2010: Juan Manuel Marquez W 12 Juan Diaz *WBO, WBA, Ring lightweight title
08-14-2010: Miguel Vazquez W 12 Ji Hoon Kim *IBF lightweight title
09-11-2010: Brandon Rios DQ 7 Anthony Peterson
09-18-2010: Humberto Soto W 12 Fidel Monterrosa Munoz
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