But the 100 percent KO ratio stood, and soon enough Valero was being spoken about as a possible future opponent for Manny Pacquiao. It took Valero ten rounds, this easily his longest fight. But could he become world champion? The answer came in Valero’s 20th fight, when he took on and defeated Vicente Mosquera to take the WBA super featherweight title. It wasn’t until his 19th pro fight that Valero was extended beyond the opening round of a fight this into just the second round. Valero, a lethal and powerful southpaw, proceeded to rack up an amazing 18 first-round KO wins. Going pro in July of 2002, Valero took out a guy named Eduardo Hernandez, stopping him in two-minutes of the opening round.
Seemingly born to fight, Valero engaged in street fights, his sheer rage even then driving him to violence.
Reports vary, but some say Valero compiled a 86-6(45) amateur record. Valero began boxing at the age of 12, the fatherless street kid having got a job working in a local gym. In death, Valero is still talked about, remembered, even marvelled over. Born in Merida, Venezuela in December of 1981, Valero became a cult favourite with fight fans due to his simply incredible run of knockouts. Valero was no boxer – he was a beast of a man, inside and outside the ring. Or should I say Valero ‘fought’ his pro debut. 20 years ago today, in Caracas in his native Venezuela, Edwin Valero boxed his pro debut.
