| |
|
"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:
NOEL MIKAELIAN DETHRONES BADOU JACK TO BECOME THE NEW WBC CRUISERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
, Sun, 14 Dec 2025FM Alekhine Nouri tops Kamatyas chessfest
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 14 Dec 2025Dante Kirkman Dominates DePriest Johnson in Unanimous Victory at Fight Club OC
, Sun, 14 Dec 2025Bantam and Intermediate Divisions Crowned on Day Five of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
, Sun, 14 Dec 2025Murat Gassiev Brutally Knocks Out Kubrat Pulev in Dubai
By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 13 Dec 2025United States Air Force Paralegals: Law, Order, and Excellence
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sat, 13 Dec 2025OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR PACHECO VS SADJO IN STOCKTON
, Sat, 13 Dec 2025OFFICIAL WEIGHTS FROM TODAY'S CHM: 2 REMATCH SEASON CEREMONIAL WEIGH-INS IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Donaire to fight Tsutsumi on December 17 in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 13 Dec 2025Nesthy faces Indon legend
By Joaquin Henson, , Sat, 13 Dec 2025Bob Santos Joins Broadcast Team for Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During WBA’s 104th Annual Convention
, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Championship Bouts Set for the Bantam and Intermediate Division
, Sat, 13 Dec 2025SEAG Triathlon, aquathlon, duathlon in Rayong
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 13 Dec 2025Jeremy Marticio wins IIEE SIKAT, ICFF won PTC World Engineering Opening
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 13 Dec 2025Facularin to fight Torres on December 13 in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 12 Dec 2025Baricuatro wins, Veloso falters in SEAG boxing
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 12 Dec 2025BASH BOXING AND UP NEXT FIGHTING RETURN WITH SPECIAL EDITION UNF 29 TOMORROW NIGHT AT ACE · MISSION STUDIOS IN LOS ANGELES
, Fri, 12 Dec 2025MERCADO AIMING TO SEND MESSAGE TO 140LB RIVALS
, Fri, 12 Dec 2025Sullivan Management signs Influencer/pro boxer Brooklyn Barwick
, Fri, 12 Dec 2025Round 12: Successful WBC Annual Convention in Bangkok (Photos)
By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Fri, 12 Dec 2025Halfway Point Surpassed at the 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
, Fri, 12 Dec 2025NBA Daily: Wembanyama-less Spurs Dominate Lakers 132-119 in NBA Cup Quarterfinals
By Reylan Loberternos, , Thu, 11 Dec 2025The 18th edition of the Kamatyas FIDE Rated Open Chess Tournament on December 13
By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 11 Dec 2025TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Undefeated Contender Kevin “Alfa” Brown Ready to Challenge Cletus Seldin for WBA Interim World Title on December 13
, Thu, 11 Dec 2025ProBox CEO Garry Jonas Says Team Lamont Roach Looking for Tank Rematch Next or Pitbull Rematch in DC
, Thu, 11 Dec 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
