FRISCO, Texas -- If you're wondering how the hell to watch all the fights on ESPN and ESPN+ on Feb. 2 you're not alone. Instead of airing fights on one platform the network has decided to spread them across both. The action will start on ESPN+, then swing back to regular ESPN, only to finish back on ESPN+. Headlining the fights on regular ESPN will be a WBO featherweight title fight between champion Oscar Valdez (24-0, 19 KOs) and challenger Carmine Tommasone (19-0, 5 KOs).
Simply put, Valdez makes for fantastic television. He fights out of the orthodox stance and has good power, especially for a smaller fighter. Everything Valdez throws has bad intentions behind it and that includes his jab. The 28-year-old has a good left hook and a mean right hand and he seems to enjoy letting his hands go, defense be damned. When he has an opponent hurt he gets very aggressive but can be too aggressive at times, leaving himself open for return fire. That return fire has been something Valdez has had to contend with, especially as he faces better opposition. His defense just isn't very good and even in wins he usually takes plenty of punishment. While that lack of defense could hurt his longevity it also makes him incredibly entertaining.
In recent years Valdez has impressive victories over fighters like Scott Quigg, Miguel Marriaga, and Evgeny Gradovich. Fans are still hungry to see him against other elite featherweights but as is always the case with boxing, some fights are tough to make, especially if fighters are signed to rival promotional companies. Still, Valdez has made a name for himself as an exciting all-action fighter and against Tommasone he will be looking to successfully defend his WBO title for the fifth time. Ring rust could play a role in this fight early because it's been nearly a year since Valdez last got in the ring. That fight, a win over Quigg, left Valdez with a broken jaw that needed time to heal and he is now back at full health and ready to defend his strap.
Tommasone is a 34-year-old orthodox fighter, hailing from Italy. He likes to work behind a busy jab and while he can score with that jab he doesn't have much to bring behind it. His best punch is probably his right hand and while he also lets loose with a left hook he often leaves both hands low as he's throwing his combinations and that could be disastrous against a puncher like Valdez. Tommasone also lacks the power to earn Valdez's respect so he will really need to stick and move in order to win rounds.
Every single one of Tommasone's previous fights were in his native Italy. While Italy is known for its fabulous food and natural beauty it isn't exactly known as a hot spot for boxing or boxing talent. Tommasone's last three opponents had records of 3-2, 4-25-2, and 8-8-1 so Valdez is a massive step up in competition. The combined record of his 19 career opponents is 135-138-16 and three of those opponents entered the fight without a win on their record. Every fighter who steps in the ring deserves respect but that doesn't mean ever fighter deserves a title shot. While Tommasone is ranked 14 by the WBO and IBF he ranks outside of the top 15 by the WBC and outside the top 40 by the WBA. Not only is this by far the biggest fight of Tommasone's career but a win would be a massive upset and shock.
Although this is a title defense for Valdez it is also somewhat of a comeback fight. He has been out of the ring for nearly a year recovering from a broken jaw but if he were to win he definitely needs to face a higher ranked opponent. Look for Valdez to come out as aggressive as ever because he knows Tommasone doesn't have the power to hurt him. Valdez should look to pile on the punches and end things early so he can get back in the ring again soon. As for Tommasone, he will need to stay very busy with his jab, follow it up with enough right hands to get some respect, and stay on his bike. If Tommasone tries to stand and trade and is too flat footed he is going to take a lot of punishment.
PREDICTION: One thing Carmine Tommasone has going for him is the fact that he's only been dropped once and he's never been stopped. However, he's never faced a puncher like Oscar Valdez and this fight should be all Valdez from start to finish. Valdez may need a few early rounds to knock some rust off but once he does he will be in total control. Valdez hasn't scored a knockout in three fights but that streak will end when he stops Tommasone in the sixth round.
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| Valdez banging the body of Scott Quigg with a left hook |
In recent years Valdez has impressive victories over fighters like Scott Quigg, Miguel Marriaga, and Evgeny Gradovich. Fans are still hungry to see him against other elite featherweights but as is always the case with boxing, some fights are tough to make, especially if fighters are signed to rival promotional companies. Still, Valdez has made a name for himself as an exciting all-action fighter and against Tommasone he will be looking to successfully defend his WBO title for the fifth time. Ring rust could play a role in this fight early because it's been nearly a year since Valdez last got in the ring. That fight, a win over Quigg, left Valdez with a broken jaw that needed time to heal and he is now back at full health and ready to defend his strap.
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| Tommasone catching his opponent with a crisp jab |
Every single one of Tommasone's previous fights were in his native Italy. While Italy is known for its fabulous food and natural beauty it isn't exactly known as a hot spot for boxing or boxing talent. Tommasone's last three opponents had records of 3-2, 4-25-2, and 8-8-1 so Valdez is a massive step up in competition. The combined record of his 19 career opponents is 135-138-16 and three of those opponents entered the fight without a win on their record. Every fighter who steps in the ring deserves respect but that doesn't mean ever fighter deserves a title shot. While Tommasone is ranked 14 by the WBO and IBF he ranks outside of the top 15 by the WBC and outside the top 40 by the WBA. Not only is this by far the biggest fight of Tommasone's career but a win would be a massive upset and shock.
Although this is a title defense for Valdez it is also somewhat of a comeback fight. He has been out of the ring for nearly a year recovering from a broken jaw but if he were to win he definitely needs to face a higher ranked opponent. Look for Valdez to come out as aggressive as ever because he knows Tommasone doesn't have the power to hurt him. Valdez should look to pile on the punches and end things early so he can get back in the ring again soon. As for Tommasone, he will need to stay very busy with his jab, follow it up with enough right hands to get some respect, and stay on his bike. If Tommasone tries to stand and trade and is too flat footed he is going to take a lot of punishment.
PREDICTION: One thing Carmine Tommasone has going for him is the fact that he's only been dropped once and he's never been stopped. However, he's never faced a puncher like Oscar Valdez and this fight should be all Valdez from start to finish. Valdez may need a few early rounds to knock some rust off but once he does he will be in total control. Valdez hasn't scored a knockout in three fights but that streak will end when he stops Tommasone in the sixth round.
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