Oscar Collazo has a new opponent for Saturday, with Neider Valdez stepping in on short notice after Joey Canoy was forced out due to visa issues.
Collazo (14-0, 11 KOs) will now defend his WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine minimumweight titles against Valdez (15-3-3, 12 KOs) at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California. The fight remains a 12-round world title bout and will stream live on DAZN.
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“My job is to stay ready for whoever my team puts in the ring,” Collazo said. “While the Canoy fight didn’t happen, my focus has shifted entirely to Neider Valdez this Saturday.”
Valdez, a 26-year-old from Monterrey, Mexico, accepted the fight with only days to prepare. He enters as a major underdog but says he had no hesitation when the opportunity came.
“When I received the phone call, I couldn’t believe it, but without hesitation, I accepted the challenge,” Valdez said. “I am ready to deliver the performance of my life.”
Collazo will be looking to continue his run as one of the standout fighters in boxing’s smaller divisions, while Valdez now gets the biggest chance of his career in a Puerto Rico vs. Mexico title fight that changed shape just days before fight night.
