WBC super-featherweight champion Oscar Valdez is eyeing the possibility of his next fight being a full-scale bout against elite opposition, and although he is not ruling out a rematch with Brazilian Robson Conciencao or former Mexican champion Miguel Berchelt, he feels a unification quest could be on the cards.
Valdez was crowned WBC champ in February when he dethroned Miguel Berchelt after 10 demanding rounds via knockout. He returned to the ring in September to face an old rival, Olympic gold medalist Conciencao, in a difficult contest that ended in a unanimous decision in favour of the champion.
Meanwhile Shakur Stevenson recently claimed the WBO version of that division's championship from Jamel Herring, which has led to links to Valdez or Berchelt as his next foe.
Valdez told DAZN Espanol that he would welcome such an opportunity.
"The difficult thing is not to win the title, but to keep it," he explained. "In my division there is a lot of work to do. Right now my goal is to clarify who is the best at 130 pounds and without a doubt Shakur Stevenson is the only one I see.
"Everywhere I go, I hear his name mentioned. For a long time Shakur has said that we are afraid of him, but he is wrong, because this is the fight we want."
Valdez assured that making the unification fight with Shakur would be easy, as they both share the same promoter, American Bob Arum.
Another option he sees in his future is to face the Mexican WBO featherweight champion, Emanuel Navarrete, if he moves up a division.
"Of all the fighters I can see, the one I would like the most would be Stevenson," explained Valdez. "What I want in each of my fights is to please my fans, because my inspiration comes from fighters like Erik Morales or Marco Barrerea who gave their all in the ring.
"I consider Shakur to be of a higher level than Conciencao, but as the competition rises, I will also rise to the level of the fighter in front of me. I am not afraid of Shakur, throw him to me if I have to fight him and show who is the best," he concluded.