Edwin Valero vs. Breidis Prescott: A Match Made in Mexico

In a weight class frothing with talent, the lightweight division may this year see one of its biggest fights unfold on July 25, with a battle between Edwin "El Dinamita" Valero and Breidis "Bone Cruncher" Prescott close to being signed.

Bob Arum of Top Rank recently told The Ring Online that a fight between the two fighters is on the cards for the Latin Fury 9 contest, taking place in Mexico in July of this year. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is believed to be headlining the event.

The bout would see Valero (25-0) defend his recently acquired WBC lightweight title against unbeaten rival Prescott (21-0) in a fascinating encounter between two of the division's heaviest punchers.

Valero, maintaining his 100 percent KO rate, recently defeated Antonio Pitalua in Texas within two rounds for the WBC belt. This was his first time fighting in the United States since suffering serious head injuries sustained during a motorcycle accident in 2001.

Despite this early setback, Valero has been drawing attention from boxing audiences worldwide with his devil-may-care style and speedy, heavy punching. Following his defeat of Pitalua, the Venezuelan knock-out artist has called out Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez.

Breidis Prescott, carrying an impressive 85 percent KO rate, is best known for his 54-second demolition of rising British star Amir Khan in 2008. Prescott, a durable and hard hitting Colombian, is, like Valero, still introducing himself to American audiences.

Yet for many boxing enthusiasts this will rank as a possible Fight of the Year. Both fighters are known for their aggressive, hard hitting styles.

The bout may also answer the many questions that have begun to surround the boxers: Are they too "raw" to face world class opposition? Have they been "protected" within domestic pools? How will they react when faced with equally offensive opponents?

Of the two fighters, only the 25-year-old Prescott has gone the distance, but this only twice. Yet, of the two, he would appear to have the more refined, adaptable style.

He can, as his record articulates, dispose of opponents early; however, he is also capable of out-boxing competitors, as he did with Richard Abril in 2007 and Humberto Toledo earlier this year (on both occasions in Fort Lauderdale, Florida).

Valero has only stretched himself as late as the 10th round (against Vincente Mosquera in Panama City, 2006), also scoring a KO as late as the eighth in Tokyo against Nobuhito Honmo in 2007. But what has impressed is his ability to maintain a consistent work rate, as well as his ability to deliver a KO late in a fight.

If this match does go ahead, it will certainly unravel two of the biggest puzzles in the lightweight division. For both fighters, eager to prove themselves to a US audience, it is a significant step up. For the victor, it may prove to be a step towards possible domination of the 135-pound limit.