Scott Quigg targets WBO featherweight title off Oscar Valdez this weekend and fans could see best fight of 2018

CALIFORNIA'S StubHub Center has been dubbed the "War Grounds" after producing FOUR Fight of the Year winners since it opened its doors to boxing in 2003.

Don't bet against that becoming five this Saturday when LA's adopted son Scott Quigg bids to become a two-weight world champion when he challenges Oscar Valdez for the WBO featherweight title.

It is a clash of all-action styles which has got StubHub regulars rubbing their hands in anticipation.

Not even the heavy rain forecast to fall on the open-air venue this Saturday night is dampening the spirits.

The City of Angels is the place Bury-man Quigg has called home since deciding to leave Joe Gallagher's gym in Bolton and attempt to crack America under the tutelage of Freddie Roach.

The quality of sparring on offer here on the West Coast was one of the deciding factors for Quigg as he made the decision to relocate.

In fact, it was just 11 months ago, when Quigg prepared to face Viorel Simion, that he shared a ring with an exciting Mexican puncher by the name of Oscar Valdez.

It is said the whole gym stopped and watched as the two pressure fighters with equally heavy hands attempted to take lumps out of each other in big gloves and head guards.

Now Valdez is standing in the way of a crucial victory which will catapult Quigg into super stardom – and snare a major belt at featherweight.

Watch Scott Quigg take on Oscar Valdez live with a Now TV Sports Pass.

The 29-year-old former WBA "regular" super-bantamweight champion has been steadily rebuilding since his shattering loss to arch rival Carl Frampton in February of 2016.

A trio of low-key wins have followed and there was not an ounce of doubt when he was offered a crack at Valdez, who has 23 wins from 23 fights with 19 knockouts.

Quigg said: “I think we sparred four or five times. We had some wars, if that's anything to go by then Saturday will be a cracker.

“I can't see us moving and boxing, it might start off that way.

“But after so long, we will just meet in the middle of that ring and I believe I'll get the job done inside the distance.

“The win puts me at the top of the pecking order, it will catapult me back to where I was.”

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That may mean a rematch with Frampton up at featherweight, while the winner of Lee Selby and Josh Warrington's May clash would produce another world title Battle of Britain for Quigg.

But he will have his hands full against a man who has been priced as wide as 5/1 ON by some bookmakers in the clash which is headlining on ESPN over here and Sky Sports in the UK.

Going forward, Valdez has looked devastating at times during a flawless run to 23-0 which has showcased genuine box office power, particularly with the left hook.

But, like many big punchers, he is also there to be hit - especially in his last outing when he was floored by Genesis Servania before coming back to win on points.

Valdez had dropped his hands and was caught with a right hook as he circled the ring.

A big puncher like Quigg could  put him away given a similar chance.