Difficult to say. Valero was very talented, but literally fought NOBODY. I mean really, his list of victims are no better than Tony Ayala's. In Paz, we aren't exactly talking about a Chavez/Duran level fighter, but still, he was a lot better than anyone Valero faced. I'd give Valero a small edge, but can't be too sure. For all we know, Paz might have exposed him. I'd pick a prime Greg Haugen to beat the shit outta Valero.
I don't see this massive talent everyone was on about with Valero. The guy seemingly had insane power, like effortless, hard-boned power, no question. Other than that though, and I know it's a big asset, I just never got it. He really wasn't that great.
I never said Valero was a "massive" talent. Very few guys are truly "massive" talents - Roy, Floyd, Tyson, Pac.... those are MASSIVE talents, and they don't come along every day. I said Valero was very talented, and he was. But did I see a future all time great in him or even a GREAT? I highly, highly, highly doubt it. People often forget this, but before Valero killed his wife then off'd himself, he was suppose to move up to 140 and fight Bradley. At the time, the general feeling was that Valero would win, but in hindsight, Bradley would have exposed him.
