Born in Galveston,Texas, raised and lived his life in Houston, Texas. Boxed out of the Magnolia Y.M.C.A. for Coach Santos Montemayor and was the Regional, State, and National Golden Gloves Light Welterweight Champion in 1968. Also participated in the 1968 Olympic Trials, losing to eventual winner and 1968 U.S.A Boxing Team representative James Wellington. Mr. Valdez is remembered by his local boxing peers as a top-notch boxer and proud representative of the Magnolia Neighborhood and Magnolia Y.M.C.A Boxing Club.