Jose Valenzuela Stuns Isaac Cruz to Become WBA Junior Welterweight Champion

In a thrilling match on Saturday night, Jose Valenzuela made his boxing dreams come true by claiming the WBA junior welterweight title. Despite being the underdog, Valenzuela faced off against the tough Isaac «Pitbull» Cruz and came out on top.

This was Valenzuela’s first fight at 140 pounds, and he fought smart by using his height and reach advantages. Standing six inches taller with a seven-inch longer reach, he was able to outbox Cruz over the full 12 rounds.

The judges saw the match in favor of Valenzuela with scores of 116-112 from two judges and 115-113 for Cruz from the third. The match took place at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, captivating the audience on the pay-per-view card.

After the victory, Valenzuela, who is only 25 years old and hails from Los Mochis, Mexico, expressed his overwhelming joy. «I’m speechless, I’m speechless. Dream come true,» he said. He dedicated his win to his parents, acknowledging their sacrifices.

Throughout the fight, Valenzuela utilized his footwork and sharp combination punches, landing 171 punches compared to Cruz’s 118. He maintained control with 40% accuracy on his power shots, even though Cruz threw more punches overall.

Cruz, a crowd favorite from Mexico City, felt the pressure as he chased Valenzuela around the ring. After the match, he addressed the fans, hinting he might have deserved the victory despite the judges’ decision.

Post-fight, Cruz expressed his desire for a rematch, stating, «I would like to officially request a rematch, for sure.» This sets the stage for what could be an exciting sequel as both fighters look to settle the score.