3 low-key boxing bouts to pay attention to this weekend

3. Daniel Valladares vs. Adrian Curiel (light flyweights)

Daniel Valladares (16-1, 10 KOs) and Adrian Curiel (10-0, 3 KOs) are the two most obscure boxers in this slideshow, but they will be televised on the undercard of the Emanuel Navarrate vs. Jose Sanmartin fight on beIN Sports Español.

Valladares and Curiel possess impressive records but against low-level opposition. Valladares’s last three opponents had a combined record of 16-19-5 when he fought them. Curiel’s last three opponents combined for a 6-6 record when he fought them. Two of those opponents had zero wins on their record.

Their lack of skilled opposition is due to their sedentary boxing locales. Valladares and Curiel have never fought outside of Mexico. They are fighting in Valladares’s hometown of Monterrey, Mexico which gives him an advantage.

Valladares has average hand speed for a light flyweight, but his power is above average for the division. He has a 59 percent KO rating, but against weak opposition.

Valladares moves well on his feet and has adequate upper body movement which allows him to avoid punishment. He lunges with his jab when he throws it which causes his feet to widen too much in his stance. Valladares gets hit when his feet get wide because he can’t move away from his opponent.

He’s at his best when he’s boxing. In later rounds, Valladares gets fatigued and stands toe-to-toe with his opponents. This could be problematic for Valladares later in his career.

Little is known about Curiel outside of his record. Except for his first fight, there is little to no video of him available to the public. He is quicker than Valladares and has faster hands, but he lacks power. He only has a 30 percent knockout rating.

This should be a close and spirited bout between two boxers fighting for relevance.