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Oscar Valdez is one of boxings top rising stars. He won a vacant featherweight world title, and accomplished what most expected of the two-time Mexican Olympian, when he knocked out Matias Adrian Rueda in the second round on July 23.Certainly, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, who signed Valdez after the 2012 Olympics, expected him to win a world title. But as far as Arum is concerned, it was only the beginning of what he envisions will become a great career.Arum has promoted a whos who of superstars during his 50 years in the boxing business, including many prominent Mexican fighters, and he has helped build them into attractions and champions. He views Valdez -- an enormously talented fighter with a fan-friendly style, outgoing personality and bilingual skills -- as the next one.Were going to make him a huge star in Mexico and in the border cities in the United States, like Tucson, where he grew up, Phoenix and San Diego. We think theres a big, big upside for him, Arum said.With the 126-pound world title in hand, Valdez will make his first defense against mandatory challenger Hiroshige Osawa in one of four world title fights on Nov. 5 (Top Rank PPV, 9 p.m. ET) on the Manny Pacquiao-Jessie Vargas card at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.Being given a spot on Pacquiaos undercard is a big deal for any young fighter, and the 25-year-old Valdez knows it.It means a lot to me, Valdez said. I get excited when I fight on these big cards. Im very grateful to Bob Arum for putting me on a big show like this. Ive always heard the first title defense is the hardest. Ive heard this from ex-champions like Julio Cesar Chavez [Sr.]. The hard thing is not getting there and winning a title. The hard thing is maintaining your championship. I am motivated, but its even more motivation for me being on great cards like this.I grew up seeing Pacquiao fight. He was in so many great fights. And now I am on his card and I got something to show my people -- that Im on this big card. Everybody gets excited back home. Its nothing but motivation for me.Valdez (20-0, 18 KOs) does not know much about Osawa (30-3-4, 19 KOs) of Japan, who will be facing the first notable opponent of his career. Valdez, however, said that when he knew he would be facing Osawa, 31, he went to YouTube and watched some video of him.I didnt really know much about him so I started looking at him to see what kind of fighter he is, Valdez said. He has a longer reach than me so we are sparring guys taller than me. He comes forward, doesnt go back, and he tries to knock out his opponent. But one thing I know about Japanese fighters is they have heart. Im not trying to think Im knocking this guy out in the first or second round. I will try not to be overconfident. Being smart is important.Arum has huge hopes for Valdez.We think we can make him a bigger star than [Erik] Morales or [Marco Antonio] Barrera, Arum said of the Mexican stars who waged an epic trilogy and had some of their greatest fights at featherweight. Our goal is to make him like a successor to Morales and Barrera. We think he has the ability and personality, and he will have somewhat bigger crossover appeal because of the fact that he is fluent in English, where the other two werent.One of the most successful promotional jobs of Arums career in terms of a Mexican fighter was with Morales. Arum was involved in a few Barrera fights over the years, but he promoted Morales for most of his career, including all three fights with Barrera, and helped build Morales into one of the top fighters in boxing. Morales headlined several successful pay-per-view cards, won world titles in four weight divisions, and became a fan favorite. He will be eligible to appear on the International Boxing Hall of Fame ballot for the first time next fall and is a shoe-in to be elected.Arum wants to follow a similar path with Valdez, who was born in Mexico and spent most of his childhood living in Tucson, Arizona, which he considers a second home and where his mother still lives, before moving back to his familys hometown of Nogales, just over the border, where his father, grandmother and other family members live.Arum said he has talked with Tucson city officials and officials from Casino Del Sol, which is in Tucson and has hosted a number of boxing events, about hosting future Valdez fights at the casino and the citys convention center.We also hope to have Oscar fight in Mexico City and hope to have him fight in Tijuana [Morales hometown], Arum said. We know what we are doing. If hes as good as we think, he can fight three or four times a year, and we can build a business around this kid.Its all music to Valdezs ears. When told that Arum wants to handle the young fighters career as he handled Morales, Valdez was in awe, sounding somewhat stunned to hear it. The reason: Morales is Valdezs boxing idol.In fact, the first time Valdez went to Las Vegas to see a fight was as a 13-year-old in 2004. He went to see Morales unify junior lightweight titles in a decision win against Carlos Hernandez at the MGM Grand. In 2008, Valdez, then a top amateur, got a chance to meet Morales at a tournament and tell him that he was his favorite fighter.Now, all these years later, Valdez relishes that Arum is comparing them.My idol has always been Erik Morales, Valdez said. By doing half of what he did would mean a lot of to me. Its an honor that Bob would say a thing like that. He has been in this game for so long and knows his boxing, so it means I am doing something right. Ill do my part and work hard in the gym. I love boxing. And I know Bob Arum and Top Rank will do their job. 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Instead of dwelling on the negative, Oates focused on what was good about the clubs recent play. It worked. Michael Irvin Womens Jersey . The native of Mont-Tremblant, Que., captured a World Cup downhill event Saturday, his second this year and fifth career victory on the circuit. Socceroo great and Melbourne City striker Tim Cahill has added his voice to the cacophony calling for A-League expansion.And hes not afraid of another Melbourne or Victorian club - possibly South Melbourne - coming into the competition on Citys doorstep.Enthusiasm behind expansion has pushed A-League chiefs to confirm their intent to bring in two teams for the 2018/19 season, with a formal process to be confirmed in the new year.Cahill said his experience from playing professionally in England, China and the US showed him the 10-team league was too lean.Theres not enough teams, he told Fox Sports, citing the need to develop more young talent.The more teams, the more competition, the more players we have coming through and the more of a meat market we have for our young Australians.The 37-year-old also said he was against below-par teams playing finals and getting in the back door and winning the league, as could happen with a six-team finals series with a 10-team league.But Cahills ambition for the sport was the primary driver behind his support for the expansion process.The fans need to be fed an appetite of football. The players do too, he said.Where those clubs should be is anyones guess - and there have been plenty of guesses - but Cahill said the most important thing was a smart process.ddddddddddddIf theres another team in Melbourne - no problems. If theres another team in Sydney - no problems. A team in Tasmania, he said.We need clear criteria for what they can produce so they can have that portfolio and we know what theyve got to aim for.One of the threats to expansion is existing clubs concerned for their own growth attempting to curb the arrival of new sides.City might have more to worry about than most on that front, given their non-derby matches average below 10,000 people this season - even with Cahills arrival.The veteran striker said he could feel growth in the wings.You look at Melbourne Victory and you have to respect what theyve grown, he said.Were not in a competition for their fans or trying to take their fans. Were trying to build our own culture.When you win trophies and you win derbies it helps. Its still very early stages as to where we want to be.Were trying to do it the right way. And its ruffling a few feathers. But its not out of disrespect to the league or anything we play against. ' ' '