Featherweight prospect Oscar Valdez, a two-time Mexican Olympian on the fast track, will be in one of the featured fights on the April 9 Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley Jr. III undercard (HBO PPV) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Valdez, 25, is one of boxing’s top prospects, and he is excited to be facing his first name opponent on the card in former featherweight titleholder Evgeny Gradovich (21-1-1, 9 KOs), 29, of Russia, who trains with Robert Garcia in Oxnard, California.

Valdez might be getting Gradovich at just the right time as Gradovich has looked shaky in two tough wins since losing his belt to Lee Selby by eighth-round technical decision last May.

“When I got the news I got very excited. It’s a very difficult fight against a former world champion, but I am ready to show everyone what I am capable of doing,” Valdez said. “I think our styles are perfect for each other and will make for a very entertaining fight.”

Valdez (18-0, 16 KOs) is training in Southern California with trainer Manny Robles.