By Miguel Rivera

During the World Boxing Organization's annual convention in Florida, undefeated Oscar Valdez (17-0, 15KOs) has emerged as the top challenger to the WBO's featherweight title, which is currently held by two-time Olympic gold medal winner Vasyl Lomachenko (4-1, 2KOs).

Lomachenko had an optional fight approved for this coming Saturday night, when he faces Romulus Koasicha at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Valdez is scheduled for action on December 12 in Arizona. Both fighters are promoted by Top Rank.

After the Lomachenko makes his option defense, the pieces will fall into place where the sanctioning body will order the negotiations period for the fight with Valdez, who is currently the WBO's #1 ranked featherweight.

Valdez, a two-time Mexican Olympian, was in action on September 11th when he stopped world title challenger Chris Avalos in five rounds.

Still viewed as a product in development, it remains to be seen if Valdez and his team decide to take on the boxer many view as the top fighter at 126-pounds.