| |
|
"Rayo" Valenzuela Upsets "Pitbull" Cruz for WBA 140lbs Title!
By Ralph Rimpell
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 04 Aug 2024
BMO Stadium, Los Angeles, CA -- In the co-main event of the Terence Crawford vs Israil Madrimov unified super middleweight championship here Saturday night, newly crowned WBA Jnr welterweight champion Isaac "Pitbull" Cruz (26-3-1, 18KOs) was upset by Jose "Rayo" Valenzuela (14-2, 9KOs) and lost his title.
Cruz used his strength, pressured Rayo for all 12 rounds, and landed some good punches. Rayo was also strong, used a good jab, good footwork, and used the ring effectively to outbox Cruz. In the 10th round, Rayo, now trained by former world champion Robert Garcia, was encouraged to stick to the "game plan" and he would be a world champion if he could continue another two rounds.
Cruz seemed to hurt Rayo towards the end of the 11th round which made all the Rayo fans nervous which encouraged the Cruz fans in the audience who rooted for Cruz.
Having survived the 11th round scare, Rayo finished the fight strong. It was a split decision by the judges. Two judges scored the fight 116-112 for Rayo while one judge scored it 115-113 for Cruz. Philboxing thought the fight should have been scored a unanimous victory for Rayo.
Rayo dedicated the fight to his parents who sacrificed so much for him bringing him to the United States and raising him here. As for Cruz, he disagreed with the decision and is interested in a rematch.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ralph Rimpell.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Date set for Manny-Money 2
By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026Knockout Artist Sugar Martinez (17-0, 17 KOs) Makes His US Debut Against Philly Veteran Daiyan Butt
, Wed, 25 Feb 2026IM Yap outwits GM Gareyev, shares lead; Maribao split the point with GM Quizon in Round 3 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 25 Feb 20262 Division World Champion José Luis Castillo Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
, Wed, 25 Feb 2026Doors open for Manny
By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026MEXICAN TITANS GO HEAD-TO-HEAD HIGHLIGHTING CINCO DE MAYO WEEKEND IN LAS VEGAS!
, Tue, 24 Feb 2026Alex Bray and Gabriela Tellez Capture WBA Titles, Dainier Pero Scores Impressive Stoppage at “Night of Champions XIV” in Orlando
, Tue, 24 Feb 2026Cebuana Lhuillier Gems Officially Join Inaugural Pickle Yard Conference League
By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026ADAMES AND AMMO CLASH FOR WORLD TITLE IN ORLANDO ON MARCH 21
, Tue, 24 Feb 2026Filipino Alexis Emil Maribao shocks Indonesian Grandmaster Susanto Megaranto in the Manny Pacquiao International Open Chess opener
By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Team USA Notches Perfect Day to Open 77th International Strandja Boxing Tournament
, Tue, 24 Feb 2026Floyd Mayweather Vs. Manny Pacquiao Set for Blockbuster Professional Rematch Streaming Live Globally on Netflix Saturday, September 19
, Tue, 24 Feb 2026Zulueta, Bactol, Dologuin, Almacen Score Knockout Wins in Thailand (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Francisco wins PBF flyweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026San Diego’S Boxing Stars Julius Ballo and Jonny Mansour to Headline the Inaugural Edition of Sd Fight Night on April 18, 2026, at Frontwave Arena
, Tue, 24 Feb 2026Influencer Brooklyn Barwick Fighting for NBA Americas title
, Tue, 24 Feb 2026Integrated Sports to distribute ‘The MGM Slam Presented by Capital One PPV’ on Sunday, March 1 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
, Tue, 24 Feb 2026125 climbers reach Mt. Apo in Sta. Cruz
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Opening Round Bouts Set for Team USA at 77th International Strandja Boxing Tournament
, Mon, 23 Feb 2026Jean Henri Lhuillier Expresses Pride as Cebuana Lhuillier-Backed Blu Girls Secure Wild Card Entry to WBSC World Cup
By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 23 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Set to Compete at Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria
, Sun, 22 Feb 2026SMEP, SAEP round 6 standoff in PTC WED NEMO 4th D’ Engineers Chess Cup
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 22 Feb 2026Late Valentine’s gift for Lover Boy
By Joaquin Henson, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026“Prince” Albert Pagara Heads to Perth, Australia, for WBC Australasia Title Fight
By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026BARRIOS vs GARCIA (FIGHT ANALYSIS)
By Ralph Rimpell, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
