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10/14/2008 Archived Entry: "Alex Valdez in Japan for World Title Shot"
Alex Valdez in Japan for World Title Shot
Faces Hozumi Hasegawa Thurs. night!
Press Release
LOS ANGELES, October 13, 2008 -- Sitting at the gate at LAX last week, Alex Valdez went unrecognized for the most part as he waited for the boarding call for his flight to Tokyo, Japan, where he will battle World Boxing Council bantamweight champion Hozumi Hasegawa this Thursday night, October 16th.
“I had a couple of guys come over from the food store who recognized me and then some more people who wanted to know who I was and wanted pictures,” said the 24 year Sonora, Mexico resident.
Before heading to Tokyo , Valdez finished a lengthy training camp in Los Mochis, Mexico, under the tutelage of trainer, Manuel Montiel, father of WBO super flyweight champion Fernando Montiel.
“My training was excellent. I worked with Fernando and Hugo Cazares. It was a terrific camp and I’m in great shape to fight Hasegawa, said Valdez about the seven week camp.”
Elaborating on Hasegawa, Valdez stated, “I’ve watched tapes of his fights and he’s very skilled, he uses his speed well. We’re both southpaws but I’m a little taller and naturally bigger, I hope to use my height and strength to my advantage.”
Said manager Frank Espinoza, “This is a great opportunity for Alex. He’s had a terrific camp, working with Fernando and Hugo really helped him. When I met with him today, he was very confident, Hasegawa is a great fighter, but Alex is coming to win.
I know it’s difficult for many fighters to feel comfortable fighting so far away from home. But Alex does not seem phased by that. Once the bell rings, he said it’s just the same as the other fights.”
Valdez, currently world ranked #2 by the World Boxing Council, is coming off a ten round unanimous decision over Anyetei Laryea on June 20th. Spanning seventeen bouts, he is undefeated in the last four years.
The 27 year old Hasegawa, 24-2 (8KO’s) is coming off a second round knockout of Cristian Faccio on June 12th in Tokyo . Along with the World Boxing Council title, he is currently ranked the #1 bantamweight in the world by ESPN and Ring Magazine. The Japan based Hasegawa has made six championship defenses since winning the title from Veeraphol Sahaprom in April 2005
The Hasegawa/Valdez fight will take place at the Yoyogi First Gym in Tokyo and is promoted by Akihiko Honda and Teiken Promotions.
The ESPINOZA BOXING CLUB was started in 1991 by Los Angeles area businessman Frank Espinoza. Espinoza has earned numerous accolades for his management skills from many boxing newspaper and internet writers.
In 2006, Espinoza was awarded the Manager of the Year award from the World Boxing Hall of Fame and inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame.
In the September 2008 issue of Ring Magazine, Espinoza was praised for his outstanding handling of the career of junior featherweight world champion and “Pound for Pound” superstar Israel “EL MAGNIFICO” Vazquez.
Vazquez is currently ranked on numerous Pound for Pound lists including # 4 by Yahoo Sports, # 5 by Ring Magazine and # 7 by ESPN.
Espinoza also has managed former world champions Martin “EL GALLITO” Castillo, Enrique “EL Zurdo de Oro” Sanchez and Isidro Garcia. He currently manages world ranked Alex Valdez and Miguel “EL ANESTESISTA” Huerta in addition to undefeated prospects Manuel “SUAVECITO” Roman, Jesus “POLLO” Hernandez, Luis Ramos, Carlos Molina, Abraham Lopez and Ronny Rios.
