Oscar Collazo pegs Valdez as a two round job after late replacement drama

“I don’t let it affect me. Golden Boy did the job. They told me to stay relaxed. I did my job, made weight and stayed relaxed,” Collazo said at Thursday’s final press conference.

“When we’re in the camp, we don’t exactly train for the fighter. We spare lefties, we spare righties, we spare aggressive fighters, we fight people in the back foot. So things like that don’t bother me.

“We can do the same strategy with every fighter. Give me one or two rounds, and I’ve got them.”

Eric Gomez, president of Golden Boy Promotions, said it was difficult to find a replacement opponent on short notice once Canoy pulled out.

“Trust me, not too many people are running to fight Oscar Collazo,” Gomez said. “He’s a badass, in a good way. It’s always going to be difficult to get someone to fight a world-class fighter at the last minute.”

Gomez also revealed that Golden Boy discussed future opportunities for Collazo at flyweight.

“One of the things we’ve talked about is maybe him moving up and fighting Ricardo Sandoval at 112,” Gomez said. “Collazo does want to unify and get all the belts. I don’t think it will be next, but we’ve talked about it.”

Collazo currently holds the WBA, WBO and Ring bantamweight titles and has repeatedly expressed interest in becoming the division’s undisputed champion. Gomez hinted that bigger fights could await if the Puerto Rican star finally decides to move on five pounds.

Sandoval is also promoted by Golden Boy and has emerged as one of the top contenders in the flyweight division. Gomez said a fight between the two has already been discussed internally, although Collazo’s immediate focus remains Saturday’s title defense against Valdez at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California. live on DAZN.