| |
|
"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:
Pero vs Miller: Heavies Collide in Prove it fight on DAZN
By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 25 Apr 2026Subkhankulov Stops Usmonov in Russia, Claims IBF No. 2 Spot at Lightweight
, Sat, 25 Apr 2026Yeow Ming to fight in Bangkok for ABF title
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 25 Apr 2026MILLER VS. PERO - WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER AHEAD OF TOMORROW NIGHT’S ACTION
, Sat, 25 Apr 2026IBA Pro Champions Night to feature world champions in Saint Petersburg
, Sat, 25 Apr 2026Noelle Haro and Marie Rosendo Advance to Quarterfinals with Wins on Day Four of 2026 World Boxing Cup – Stage 1
, Sat, 25 Apr 2026Bautista to face Dulayba at Okada on April 30
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 25 Apr 2026LAS VEGAS FIGHT WEEK: PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES AS MILLER AND PERO COLLIDE IN WBA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR – LIVE ON DAZN
, Fri, 24 Apr 2026Undefeated Knockout Artist Amari “The Reaper” Jones Headlines First-Ever DAZN Card Against Former World Champion Vincenzo “Il Capo” Gualtieri
, Fri, 24 Apr 2026Mexican female stars Mayelli Flores and Irma ¨Torbellino¨ Garcia sign with MVP
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026Basil to fight Britanico on April 26 in Delpan
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026Race briefing of Mt. Apo Boulder Face on April 24
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026Into fights for IBA championship on April 24
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026Camigue fights in Tanzania on April 24
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026Team USA Captures Three More Wins on Day Three at World Boxing Cup – Stage 1
, Fri, 24 Apr 20261,400 runners in Sagisag Davao Leg
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026The Marvelous Cup Invitational tourney set
By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026Junior Middleweights Currently The Hottest Division In Boxing!
By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 23 Apr 2026All Star Boxing Announces 'Clash of the Unbeaten' on May 22nd In Panama
, Thu, 23 Apr 2026Oliver Laroya Chess Tournament on April 25
By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 23 Apr 2026Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero and Undefeated Rising Prospect Robert Guerrero Jr. to Appear at 3rd Annual Battle of the Trades on April 25
, Thu, 23 Apr 2026WBC WORLD CHAMPION DALTON SMITH SIGNS NEW LONG-TERM CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH EDDIE HEARN’S MATCHROOM BOXING
, Thu, 23 Apr 2026USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team Swept Day Two of World Boxing Cup - Stage 1
, Thu, 23 Apr 2026FAELDONIA & NGO RULE STA. FE, ROMBLON, TABLAS OPEN CHESS TOURNAMENT
, Thu, 23 Apr 2026Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines heads to Okada, Manila
By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 23 Apr 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
