edwin valero

remind you of anyone? the wild look, an identity tattooed onto his body, the latin american blend of politics and pugilism (that's hugo chavez on the venezuelan flag)- like the guys on showtime, who aired his first bout on american tv this weekend, i watched edwin valero dismantle the promising mexican antonio demarco, and couldn't help but think of manny pacquiao. he's not there yet, but this little venezuelan southpaw is my tip to be the next superstar of boxing.

in an era where the money men can't even agree on the fight that everyone and their dog wants to see, an era where the sport is running, in many places, on the memory of the glory days, and is being soundly beaten by the UFC, you need more than a decent record to become a star, but it's worth looking at edwin valero's resume. WBC lightweight champion, and former super-featherweight title holder (he gave it up in april in order to concentrate on the 135-pound class), his record reads 27-0, with 26 of those coming by knockout, and he's only actually fought for 66 rounds- his first 18 wins came in the opening 3 minutes. granted, most of those victories have been against inadequate opposition, but there's something about this guy. he uses the same weapons as pacquiao did in the early days- a lot of jabs and straight lefts, and although his defence is often cited as his main weakness, it's not been needed thus far, as 'dinamita' simply knocks out everyone he fights.

impressive, but a number of people thought that he might have trouble with demarco, who is a calm, fluid young fighter. but valero made him look like a novice, and by the time he failed to answer the bell for the 10th, i'd been willing for the end since the 6th. oh, and valero fought from the 2nd with a deep gash on his forehead, which had come from an accidental elbow. fights have been stopped for less. he's aggressive, quick, and great to watch. his family have received death threats thanks to his outspoken support for chavez, but his people from the barrios of caracas love him for it. he's a classic boxing hero in waiting.

problem is, he hasn't got a license to fight in the US, after failing a brain scan- he was seriously injured in a 2001 motorcycle accident. and then there's the conviction for drink-driving, which he picked up whilst bob arum (yes, the same bob arum who promotes pacquiao) was trying to get him on the undercard of the stillborn pacquiao-mayweather fight. this will make getting a visa to enter the US tricky. as well as pacquiao, he reminds me of diego maradona, with a personality as volatile as his politics.

he's also running out of people to fight. there's little to be gained by continuing to crush men of straw, as much as the people want to see it. the money men in america will find a way to get him in, but with juan manuel marquez apparently moving up a weight to fight amir khan or ricky hatton, that contest (one which i would love to see) appears to be a non-starter. but whoever it is, i'll be glued.

i'm still digesting the super bowl, look for my thoughts on that later this week.