SecondsOut Team Pick Valero vs. DeMarco

The champion has had irresistible and perfect punching power so far while the challenger not only wants to win but create a reputation for himself under fire, but that hasn’t stopped SecondsOut’s team of fearless writers from making their confident picks for Saturday’s WBC lightweight world title between belt holder Edwin Valero and Antonio DeMarco at the Arena Monterrey in Nuevo León, Mexico on Showtime Championship Boxing.

“Eventually, someone is going to go the distance with Valero, probably even beat him. But it won’t be DeMarco. Valero will catch up with midway through the fight. Valero W.KO.6.”
- Paul Upham, Content Editor - Sydney, Australia

“How does one go about stopping a guy with 26 stoppages in 26 attempts? It can be done, yes, but the fighter who emerges victorious against Valero needs to be a supremely gifted, smart, strong and patient boxer who can take a hell of a punch. DeMarco is a very good fighter but, unfortunately for him, he does not fit the criteria. He’ll put up a decent fight but I don’t see him lasting more than eight rounds. Valero W.TKO.8.”
- Michael Norby, Contributing Editor - New England, USA

“Valero’s speed, punch and aggressive style will prevail. Valero wins by 10th round stoppage. Valero W.KO.10.”
- Jerry Glick - Contributing Editor - New York City, USA

“This is no foregone conclusion for the KO artist from Venezuela. The rangy DeMarco will pose problems for his fellow southpaw and, after withstanding Valero’s early storm, will forge a lead on the scorecards. Just as DeMarco is in the ascendancy, one brutal bomb ends it. Valero W.KO.9.”
- Mark Butcher, Founding Editor - London, UK

“During the pre fight instructions De Marco should ask for a final wish. Once Valero opens fire - adios amigo. It will be a total destruction of the schoolboy. Valero W.KO.1.”
- Juan Pablo Manfredi - Buenos Aires, Argentina

“DeMarco has potential here for an upset, but he is probably a few fights away from developing the full set of tools he needs to keep Valero under control. Valero will get DeMarco into a vulnerable situation and take advantage of it probably earlier rather than later. Valero W.KO.3.”
- John Lumpkin - Madison, Wisconsin, USA

“I am very excited for this fight because I have long assumed Valero was little more than shadow and light. However, his last two fights have been against better opposition than he’s feasted on his entire career. Antonio Demarco will by far be the highest quality opponent of his career and Valero will represent the most dangerous obstacle he’s faced as a professional also. I’m curious to see which southpaw will be able to assert himself over the other. Demarco enjoys a significant height advantage and fighting tall will be in his best interest in the early goings against the powerful Venezuelan. Both fighters have shown a porous defense, but Demarco is going to have to be careful in the early goings and employ his jab to keep Valero from being able to load up and assume control. If Demarco can get himself to the fourth unscathed, I think we’ll begin to see Valero unravel as he is not used to being pressed into the later rounds of a fight. The longer the fight goes, the more impact Demarco’s combinations are going to have. He’s shown the ability to get stronger as the fight goes on. His focus and attack become more calculated as well. Valero is wild and will not be able to change his game. If he can land, he can win. My guess is that the fighter with the stronger technique wins. DeMarco W.KO.9.”
- Derek Bonnett - Connecticut, USA

“DeMarco seems to improve every fight. He’ll be able to use his height advantage and jab early, to keep the wild swinging Valero at bay. And as soon as soon as DeMarco gains confidence he will become vulnerable. Valero will eventually land, and when he does he will close the show quickly. Valero W.KO.3.”
- Jason Pribila - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA

"I can’t see anyone in the world beating Edwin Valero at the moment, he is too powerful and too strong for them all and Antonio DeMarco is no exception I think. He might last a few rounds but I am pretty confident Valero will catch up with him sooner or later and land that big shot. Valero’s record sort of speak for itself, 26 wins, 26 by KO, a majority of them in the first round, quite astonishing really, how is that possible? This was probably the easiest pick yet on paper but it remains to be seen of course if Valero can deliver once again, anything can happen in boxing and I might be forced to eat my words when it’s all over, DeMarco is naturally a good boxer as well. Still, I predict a fourth round knockout for Valero. Valero W.KO.4.”
- Teddy Stenmark - Sweden

“I’ll stick with Valero with his exciting style and power, it will lead him to a stoppage over DeMarco. DeMarco hasn’t fought anyone other then Kid Diamond, he has fought the usual Mexican journey men that are on most resumes, that is what will hinder his chances against Valero. Valero W.KO.5.”
- Andy Rivera - New Mexico, USA

“The growing legend that is Edwin Valero will receive his first significant television exposure this Saturday when he faces Antonio DeMarco, a huge leap in competition for the Venezuelan native. Valero has run through the lightweight division, knocking out 26 fighters in 26 fights and for many fans this will be their first look at the knockout artist. Valero is likely to find out though, that DeMarco is unlike any of his previous opponents. DeMarco has faced much better competition than Valero and is a slick boxer-puncher. The Mexican native has a very nice jab from his southpaw stance and Valero has no defense to speak of. Valero will entice DeMarco into a brawl and eventually DeMarco will hurt him from the outside. DeMarco in an upset by knockout. DeMarco W.KO.10.”
- Michael Coppinger - Washington D.C, USA

This battle of southpaws should be fun to watch. Antonio DeMarco (WBC Interim Champ) has a height and reach advantage of a few inches against the knockout artist, Edwin Valero (WBC Champ). DeMarco’s most notable win is against Kid Diamond. I think DeMarco may be able to box from the outside for a few rounds early in the fight, but in the end it will be Valero working his way in against his taller foe where he earns his 27th victory and 27th knockout in a row, continuing his streak. Valero W.TKO.8.”
- Derek Gionta - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA


Total:

EDWIN VALERO = 10

ANTONIO DEMARCO = 2