Oscar Valdez: Channeling Fear, the Value of the Amateurs, and Life with Canelo

What does it feel like to be part of a Mike Tyson event like this?

Well, I can't believe that I'm actually here, you know, getting the chance to be side to side with Mike Tyson, you know, even though it wasn't my era.

But who doesn't really know Mike Tyson? You get to see all his documentaries.

We got the chance to see the late of his career.

And it's just an amazing story about Mike Tyson.

So it's great to be here.

And it's really special that what he's given back to amateur boxing in particular, right?

That's actually the main thing that I love because I have a soft spot for amateur fighting because I was...

Two-time? Two-time Olympian.

Hold on a second.

Let's just

roll back

the credentials that you have in the amateurs.

I can explain what's the best part of my whole boxing career since I started to where I'm at right now.

I would have to say that the amateur career that I had... was the best of all boxing, because you're actually fighting for no money, you're just fighting for your pride, for Mexico in my case, and you're just trying to get that medal.

That's what it was really all about.

And when I turn pro, you know, there's money involved, and there's someone always trying to take that percentage away from you, and it kind of dirties everything.

So there's something about amateur fighting that I always have a passion towards.

So I'm grateful for Mike Tyson making these events, and just making them in this fashion.

You know, there's just...

Almost like a professional fight.

It's amazing.

Face-off, weigh-ins, you know.

Media, all that.

Media, this event is pretty great for Mike Tyson to do this.

What does it feel like to be part of a Mike Tyson event like this?

Well, I can't believe that I'm actually here, you know, getting the chance to be side to side with Mike Tyson, you know, even though it wasn't my era.

But who doesn't really know Mike Tyson? You get to see all his documentaries.

We got the chance to see the late of his career.

And it's just an amazing story about Mike Tyson.

So it's great to be here.

And it's really special that what he's given back to amateur boxing in particular, right?

That's actually the main thing that I love because I have a soft spot for amateur fighting because I was...

Two-time? Two-time Olympian.

Hold on a second.

Let's just

roll back

the credentials that you have in the amateurs.

I can explain what's the best part of my whole boxing career since I started to where I'm at right now.

I would have to say that the amateur career that I had... was the best of all boxing, because you're actually fighting for no money, you're just fighting for your pride, for Mexico in my case, and you're just trying to get that medal.

That's what it was really all about.

And when I turn pro, you know, there's money involved, and there's someone always trying to take that percentage away from you, and it kind of dirties everything.

So there's something about amateur fighting that I always have a passion towards.

So I'm grateful for Mike Tyson making these events, and just making them in this fashion.

You know, there's just...

Almost like a professional fight.

It's amazing.

Face-off, weigh-ins, you know.

Media, all that.

Media, this event is pretty great for Mike Tyson to do this.