Home Boxing News Oscar Valdez wants the winner of Josh Warrington versus Carl Frampton in...

Oscar Valdez wants the winner of Josh Warrington versus Carl Frampton in unification clash

Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Undefeated WBO featherweight champion Oscar Valdez 24-0 (19) wants to face the winner of the high-profile clash between his IBF counterpart Josh Warrington 27-0 (6) and former two-division titleholder Carl Frampton 26-1 (15) set to take place at Manchester Arena in Manchester, UK on December 22.

The 27-year-old Mexican has made four defences of the world title he won against Matias Carlos Adrian Rueda in July 2016 but has been sidelined for much of 2018 after suffering a broken jaw in his world title defence against an over-the-weight Scott Quigg in March.

“I have always said that I want to fight the best,” said Valdez in comments published by Fightnews. “Frampton and Warrington are both big names in the sport. I’m ready to fight the winner and unify titles.”

Valdez is expected to return early in the new year in a tune-up fight before targeting the winner of the Warrington-Frampton bout.

Top Rank boss Bob Arum says that discussions have already taken place between himself and British promoter Frank Warren about staging the fight.

“We’re looking at January 12 for Valdez to fight on ESPN and then, assuming he wins that fight, then we would put him in with the Frampton-Warrington winner,” Arum said. “I’ve already talked to Frank Warren about that.”

While Valdez was recovering from his injury Frampton picked up the interim WBO featherweight title with a points win over Nonito Donaire in April and defended the title with a clinical ninth round stoppage of previously undefeated Australian Luke Jackson in August.

Warrington claimed the IBF 126-pound belt in a minor upset with a split decision victory over local rival Lee Selby in Yorkshire in May.

Valdez said he doesn’t care who the winner of Warrington-Frampton fight is, he just wants to fight the best.

“I want to prove I’m the best featherweight in the world,” said Valdez.