Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson: WBO confirms interim super featherweight title to go on the line

Tom Naghten

Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson: WBO confirms interim super featherweight title to go on the line image

The WBO has confirmed the interim super featherweight title will go on the line when Oscar Valdez and Liam Wilson meet in Glendale, Arizona on Friday, March 29.

In what shapes as an all-action firefight, the pair will now have even more motivation to get past the other.

Both men have recent defeats to Emanuel Navarrete on their records and it's the Mexican's impending move to lightweight which prompted the WBO's decision.

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Navarrete is set to challenge jump up to 135-pounds and attempt to become a four-weight world champion when he faces Denys Berinchyk for the vacant WBO strap on May 18.

The WBO has also confirmed that the holder of the interim super featherweight title - the Valdez-Wilson victor - will become full champion should Navarrete win and remain at lightweight.

"If Navarrete is successful in winning the vacant WBO Lightweight championship and determines to retain the WBO Lightweight championship, the WBO Jr. Lightweight Interim champion shall be elevated to 'Full Champion' status," the sanctioning body said in a statement.

The 33-year-old Valdez (31-2) has previously held the WBO title at featherweight, as well as the WBC strap at super featherweight.

Wilson, who celebrated his 28th birthday last week, came within a whisker of stealing the WBO belt off Navarrete last year.

Liam Wilson
(No Limit Boxing)

The Queenslander has since won two consecutive fights to take his record to 13-2 as a professional.

Mexico's Valdez is promoted by Bob Arum of Top Rank and the boxing veteran believes the WBO's announcement adds another layer of intrigue to the fight.

“This not only promises to be a sensational fight, but with the WBO Interim title on the line, the winner will have tremendous opportunities in a loaded weight class,” Arum said.

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Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson live stream info, TV channel

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

Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson fight card

  • Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson for the interim WBO super featherweight title
  • Seniesa Estrada (c) vs. Yokasta Valle (c) for the IBF, WBA, WBC, WBO, and The Ring minimumweight titles
  • Richard Torrez Jr. vs. Donald Haynesworth; Heavyweights
  • Sergio Leon Rodriguez; Sanny Duversonne; Middleweights
  • Emiliano Vargas vs. Nelson Hampton; Lightweights
  • Art Barrera Jr. vs. Keven Soto; Super Lightweights

Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten Photo

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.