Oscar Valdez has stopped Liam Wilson in the seventh round of their clash in Glendale, Arizona on Friday night to claim the interim WBO super featherweight title.
The former two-division champion didn't take a backward step and met Wilson's aggression with plenty of his own.
Valdez found some heavy shots in the seventh and Wilson could have potentially done more to prolong the bout but the Queenslander was almost too tough for his own good, attempting to weather the storm on his feet rather than taking a knee or tying the Mexican up.
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Referee Mark Nelson eventually decided Wilson had taken enough punishment and stepped in to stop the bout.
After the fight, Valdez told Wilson to keep his head up.
"I told Liam not to give up. I lost. It doesn't mean you’re done in the sport," Valdez said.
"He almost got me. He’s just a slight chance away from being a world champion.
"I take my hat off to him, I have so much respect for him and his team. He can be a world champion."
Wilson admitted he strayed from the gameplan after a promising start.
"I tried to box the first few rounds, but my heart got the better of me," Wilson said.
"I want to be in tough fights, but it’s probably not the best.
"I’ve gotta learn from it.
"Oscar’s a true champion, I’m proud to share the ring with him, and I have a lot of respect for him."
In the co-main event, Seniesa Estrada unified the light flyweight division when she claimed a unanimous decision victory over rival Yokasta Valle (97-93 x3).
The pair fought at a frantic pace for the full 10 rounds, but Estrada’s hand speed and variety of offense appeared to give her the edge.
When the scores were read out, boos rung out from the crowd at the Desert Diamond Arena and Valle’s trainer, Gloria Alvarado, accused Estrada of intentionally headbutting her charge early in the bout.
Valle and her team called for a rematch but Estrada walks away as undisputed champion on the night.
Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson full card results, updates
- Oscar Valdez def. Liam Wilson via round seven TKO
- Seniesa Estrada def. Yokasta Valle via unanimous decision (97-93 x3)
- Raymond Murutalla def. Xolisani Ndongeni via unanimous decision (99-91, 98-92, 97-93)
- Lindolfo Delgado def. Carlos Sanchez via round seven TKO
- Richard Torrez Jr def. Don Haynseworth via round one TKO
- Sergio Rodriguez def. Sanny Duversonne via unanimous decision (59-55 x2, 60-54)
- Emiliano Fernando Vargas def. Nelson Hampton via unanimous decision (60-54 x3)
- Alan Garcia def. Gonzalo Fuenzalida via round two TKO
- Art Barrera Jr. def. Keven Soto via round two knockout
- Ricardo Ruvalcaba def. Avner Hernandez Molina via round five TKO
How to watch Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson: TV channel, live stream
| Region | TV channel | Live streaming |
| USA | ESPN | ESPN+ |
| Canada | — | TSN+ |
| UK and Ireland | Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Arena | Sky GO |
| Australia | Fox Sports 3 (Ch. 503) | Kayo |
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Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson fight card
- Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson for the interim WBO super featherweight title
- Seniesa Estrada vs. Yokasta Valle for the undisputed minimumweight world championship
- Raymond Murutalla vs. Xolisani Ndongeni; super lightweight
- Lindolfo Delgado vs. Carlos Sanchez; super lightweight
- Richard Torrez Jr. vs. Don Haynseworth; heavyweight
- Sergio Rodriguez vs. Sanny Duversonne; middleweight
- Emiliano Fernando Vargas vs. Nelson Hampton; lightweight
- Alan Garcia vs. Gonzalo Fuenzalida; lightweight
- Art Barrera Jr. vs. Keven Soto; super lightweight
- Ricardo Ruvalcaba vs. Avner Hernandez Molina; super lightweight