by Natasa Shepherd

Created on: March 03, 2009   Last Updated: March 04, 2009

Born in the small mountain village of Bolero Alto, Venezuela. Edwin's childhood is surrounded in mystery, with many fight fans wondering, what it took to turn this young boy into a knock out machine. Gifted with a natural talent for all things athletic, Edwin was a stand out at any sport he chose to play but at the age of 12 he chose to box, no one knows why he chose one of the hardest sports in the world but we are all thankful that he did.

His road to the championship's had just begun. As an amateur boxer Valero was impressive as he is in the professional ranks, so impressive that he fought Venezuelan National Championships on multiple occasions defeating other champions in the process, after compiling a record 92-6 with 92 of these wins 52 came by way of knockout, so heavy were the hands of Valero that he could knock out other fighters with ease even though both men were protective headgear and wore much larger gloves than in the professionals. Edwin was to find out that in life you have you "ups" and your "downs" and Edwin was about to experience a very harsh down. A king in the ring, with the local media all over him, Valero was at the top of the world, until one fateful day in February 2001, the 20 year old was involved in a life threatening motorcycle accident that could have ended his life let alone his career. Without wearing a helmet, Edwin's injuries were much more major than they would have been had he taken the proper precautions, unfortunately for Edwin, he had fractured his skull and developed a blood clot due due to said injuries. He was to receive brain surgery that year to remove the clot, it would be over a year before Edwin would ever step foot in the ring again.

In January of the next year Valero would be cleared to fight by a Venezuelan doctor, competing in a handful of amateur fights to attempt to shake of his ring rust, Edwin would turn professional later year. He started off competing professionally inside the major cities of Venezuela. With his first 8 wins all by way of knockout, Edwin traveled to the United States, hoping to claim the fame and fortune he deserved, he would go on to fight 4 more times at this point, once back home in Venezuela and 3 more times in California, all wins coming by way for first round knockout. It was at this point in his life that Edwin felt things were about to start looking good for him, with 12 knock out wins in the first round under his belt, he was contacted by Golden Boy Promotions to fight under

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