Oscar Valdez is one of boxings top rising stars. He won a vacant featherweight world title, and accomplished what most expected of the two-time Mexican Olympian, when he knocked out Matias Adrian Rueda in the second round on July 23.Certainly, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, who signed Valdez after the 2012 Olympics, expected him to win a world title. But as far as Arum is concerned, it was only the beginning of what he envisions will become a great career.Arum has promoted a whos who of superstars during his 50 years in the boxing business, including many prominent Mexican fighters, and he has helped build them into attractions and champions. He views Valdez -- an enormously talented fighter with a fan-friendly style, outgoing personality and bilingual skills -- as the next one.Were going to make him a huge star in Mexico and in the border cities in the United States, like Tucson, where he grew up, Phoenix and San Diego. We think theres a big, big upside for him, Arum said.With the 126-pound world title in hand, Valdez will make his first defense against mandatory challenger Hiroshige Osawa in one of four world title fights on Nov. 5 (Top Rank PPV, 9 p.m. ET) on the Manny Pacquiao-Jessie Vargas card at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.Being given a spot on Pacquiaos undercard is a big deal for any young fighter, and the 25-year-old Valdez knows it.It means a lot to me, Valdez said. I get excited when I fight on these big cards. Im very grateful to Bob Arum for putting me on a big show like this. Ive always heard the first title defense is the hardest. Ive heard this from ex-champions like Julio Cesar Chavez [Sr.]. The hard thing is not getting there and winning a title. The hard thing is maintaining your championship. I am motivated, but its even more motivation for me being on great cards like this.I grew up seeing Pacquiao fight. He was in so many great fights. And now I am on his card and I got something to show my people -- that Im on this big card. Everybody gets excited back home. Its nothing but motivation for me.Valdez (20-0, 18 KOs) does not know much about Osawa (30-3-4, 19 KOs) of Japan, who will be facing the first notable opponent of his career. Valdez, however, said that when he knew he would be facing Osawa, 31, he went to YouTube and watched some video of him.I didnt really know much about him so I started looking at him to see what kind of fighter he is, Valdez said. He has a longer reach than me so we are sparring guys taller than me. He comes forward, doesnt go back, and he tries to knock out his opponent. But one thing I know about Japanese fighters is they have heart. Im not trying to think Im knocking this guy out in the first or second round. I will try not to be overconfident. Being smart is important.Arum has huge hopes for Valdez.We think we can make him a bigger star than [Erik] Morales or [Marco Antonio] Barrera, Arum said of the Mexican stars who waged an epic trilogy and had some of their greatest fights at featherweight. Our goal is to make him like a successor to Morales and Barrera. We think he has the ability and personality, and he will have somewhat bigger crossover appeal because of the fact that he is fluent in English, where the other two werent.One of the most successful promotional jobs of Arums career in terms of a Mexican fighter was with Morales. Arum was involved in a few Barrera fights over the years, but he promoted Morales for most of his career, including all three fights with Barrera, and helped build Morales into one of the top fighters in boxing. Morales headlined several successful pay-per-view cards, won world titles in four weight divisions, and became a fan favorite. He will be eligible to appear on the International Boxing Hall of Fame ballot for the first time next fall and is a shoe-in to be elected.Arum wants to follow a similar path with Valdez, who was born in Mexico and spent most of his childhood living in Tucson, Arizona, which he considers a second home and where his mother still lives, before moving back to his familys hometown of Nogales, just over the border, where his father, grandmother and other family members live.Arum said he has talked with Tucson city officials and officials from Casino Del Sol, which is in Tucson and has hosted a number of boxing events, about hosting future Valdez fights at the casino and the citys convention center.We also hope to have Oscar fight in Mexico City and hope to have him fight in Tijuana [Morales hometown], Arum said. We know what we are doing. If hes as good as we think, he can fight three or four times a year, and we can build a business around this kid.Its all music to Valdezs ears. When told that Arum wants to handle the young fighters career as he handled Morales, Valdez was in awe, sounding somewhat stunned to hear it. The reason: Morales is Valdezs boxing idol.In fact, the first time Valdez went to Las Vegas to see a fight was as a 13-year-old in 2004. He went to see Morales unify junior lightweight titles in a decision win against Carlos Hernandez at the MGM Grand. In 2008, Valdez, then a top amateur, got a chance to meet Morales at a tournament and tell him that he was his favorite fighter.Now, all these years later, Valdez relishes that Arum is comparing them.My idol has always been Erik Morales, Valdez said. By doing half of what he did would mean a lot of to me. Its an honor that Bob would say a thing like that. He has been in this game for so long and knows his boxing, so it means I am doing something right. Ill do my part and work hard in the gym. I love boxing. And I know Bob Arum and Top Rank will do their job. One thing they know is that I want to be considered one of the best.I want to be known when they mention the great Mexican fighters. I want to be on that list with Chavez, Morales, Barrera and [Juan Manuel] Marquez. Vapormax Flyknit 2 Ale . -- Ryan Blaney provided more evidence that Penske Racings No. Vapormax Flyknit 2 Suomi . For the Wild it was their first win of the season and they now have a record of 1-1-2 while the Jets fall to 2-2. Jets start a six game home stand Friday with another divisional game, home to the Dallas Stars. http://www.vapormaxsuomi.com/ . The FA rejected Wilsheres appeal that the length of his punishment was "clearly excessive" and said Thursday his suspension begins with immediate effect. He will miss league matches against Chelsea on Monday and West Ham on Dec. Vapormax Flyknit 3 Suomi . Takahashi, who had a 10-point lead after the short program, received 268.31 points after the free skate to finish 15 points ahead of second-place Nobunari Oda. Nike Vapormax Miehet . The team also announced Tuesday that the Braves will wear a commemorative patch on the right sleeve during the season. The patch, shaped like home plate, carries the number 715, Aarons autograph and a "40th Anniversary" banner. Steve Shingler scored 15 points as his Cardiff Blues overcame a shaky start to get their PRO12 campaign off to a 34-16 winning start against Edinburgh.Shingler and fellow debutant Nick Williams both impressed for Cardiff, who were deserved winners with tries from that pair plus Tomos Williams and a penalty award.Shingler converted two and kicked two penalties, with Gareth Anscombe adding two conversions.Edinburgh contested throughout but were clearly second best after the interval. Solomoni Rasolea scored their only try which Duncan Weir converted to add to his three penalties.A couple of early errors from the Blues gave their opponents a platform in the home 22 from which Edinburgh took the lead with a third-minute penalty from Weir.The hosts immediately responded with a huge break from Shingler but the outside halfs pass went badly astray when a try seemed almost inevitable.Minutes later, Shingler made amends by throwing a dummy, bemusing the Scottish defence to score a simple try, which he converted before missing a penalty attempt.The frenetic opening continued with a try for Edinburgh when Rasolea latched onto a Nathan Fowles pass to crash over from close range. Weir converted and added a monster of a penalty to leave the Scots 13-7 ahead at the end of the first quarter.A couple of powwerful runs from Nick Williams put Cardiff on the front foot and a second penalty from Shingler reduced the deficit.dddddddddddd Edinburgh suffered three blows in quick succession. First, No 8 Nasi Manu was helped off with an injury before the visitors conceded a penalty try for dragging down a line-out, which also resulted in Jamie Ritchie collecting a yellow card. Shingler converted the penalty try before Weir missed two difficult penalties, which allowed Blues to retain a 17-13 lead at the interval.Soon after the restart, Blues hooker, Kirby Myhill, limped off before Ritchie returned in time to see Shingler fire over a long-range penalty but this was nullified by one from Weir.With the game still in the balance, Blues brought on Anscombe and Gethin Jenkins in place of Shingler and Rhys Gill. The two Wales internationals immediately made an impact, linking cleverly to take Cardiff into the visitors 22 but the hosts conceded a careless penalty to allow the Scots to clear the danger.After 61 minutes, a try from Nick Williams put clear daylight between the teams before a late try from Tomos Williams saw Blues collect a bonus point and emphasize their superiority. ' ' '