Can Miguel “El Alacran” Berchelt recover from his surprising loss to Oscar Valdez?
On February 20, Miguel “El Alacran” Berchelt (37-2, 33 KOs) was looking to defend the WBC junior lightweight title for the seventh time against former WBO featherweight champ Oscar Valdez (29-0, 23 KOs). Taking place on ESPN in Las Vegas, this was the perfect setup for a “statement-making” performance.
However, things didn’t turn out as expected. Favored going in, Berchelt was out-boxed and battered by Valdez, losing the title by tenth round knockout. After living high as a world champion, he is now left to pick up the pieces from a stunning defeat.
After the bout, El Alacran was taken to a Las Vegas hospital for observation. Fortunately, he was given a clean bill of health and released on February 21. The 29 year-old from Cancun, Mexico, released a statement on Instagram giving his reaction to the fight (translated from Spanish).
“I want to thank all the people who care about me. Thank God I’m OK. I’ll come back stronger. When you’re up, you have everyone’s approval and respect. But when you fall, you’ll always be judged.
“Boxing is like life itself.”
Now becomes the process of rebuilding from having your world shattered. More importantly, at what weight?
TIME TO MOVE UP?
Though making the junior lightweight limit, El Alacran looked gaunt at the weight-in. It is well known that he is very big for the division. Getting down in weight is a chore. Heart and pride will entice the former champion to want a rematch. But it may serve his best interest to contemplate moving up to the lightweight division.
It’s no secret making junior lightweight is a major battle. He has the size, power, and physical strength to compete at lightweight. World champions Teofimo Lopez, Devin Haney, and Gervonta Davis are under 27 years of age. They bring energy and ambition to the table.
Then there’s former unified lightweight champion Vasiliy “Loma” Lomachenko. A veteran of the division at age 33, he’s one of the most skilled boxers on the planet. Coming off a loss against Lopez in October 2020, Loma is looking to get back in gear.
The talent pool is arguably deeper at lightweight than at junior lightweight. That would mean even better and tougher competition. Is he ready and willing to make such a move? Boxing fans are pondering can he recover from this setback and what he will do going forward.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
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