| |
|
"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:
Ronny Alvarez Shines with 5th Round TKO Victory Over Bruno Pola on DAZN
, Thu, 23 Oct 2025TICKETS ON SALE NOW AS FLORES FACES CORDINA IN STOCKTON SHOWDOWN
, Thu, 23 Oct 2025Teflon Promotions Presents: The Replay: The Volume 1 on Saturday November 22nd at The 6th Man Center in Philadelphia
, Thu, 23 Oct 2025DAY TWO: CHUA CRASHES OUT AS MANAS MARCHES ON IN MANILA
, Thu, 23 Oct 2025Doncic equals Kobe's record in the Lakers' NBA season opener
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 23 Oct 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 21: THE RELATIONSHIP OF MUHAMMAD ALI AND JOE FRAZIER
By Maloney L. Samaco, , Wed, 22 Oct 2025Sumabong is new WBO Asia Pacific minimumweight champ
By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 22 Oct 2025Happy Birthday Reymart Soledad!
By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 22 Oct 2025October 30: Mary Spencer-Mikaela Mayer Super Welterweight Title Showdown to Stream LIVE on Top Rank Classics FAST Channel
, Wed, 22 Oct 2025Pinoy chessers off to hot start in Italy World Senior Chess Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 22 Oct 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Finalists for the WBC Grand Prix are Set
By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 22 Oct 2025Traya to fight again in Thailand on Oct. 25
By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 22 Oct 2025Texas super middleweight Darius Fulghum Preparing to get back in the title hunt
, Wed, 22 Oct 2025Aaron Pryor honored on his 70th birthday anniversary
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 22 Oct 2025DUONG SUFFERS SHOCK EXIT AS GORST OPENS STRONG IN MANILA
, Tue, 21 Oct 2025Marlon "Marvelous Captain" Manalo makes a comeback in the Philippine Open
By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 21 Oct 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 20 OCTOBER 2025: Danny Garcia KOs Daniel Gonzalez; Juarez Defeats Nery; Bormann Unifies Belt vs Kuroki
By Eric Armit, , Tue, 21 Oct 2025"Round of the Year" Candidate Unfolds in Explosive Clash Between Undefeated Prospect Sebastian Juarez and Veteran Demarcus Layton
, Tue, 21 Oct 2025IIEE PSME Quezon City Simba's Tribe wins 4 straight in PCAP Tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 21 Oct 2025GREEN TAM, RINGO LAM, HARPREET SINGH SCORE CRUSHING TKO WINS MONDAY IN THAILAND
By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 21 Oct 2025Irish middleweight Jim Donovan Registers sensational KO in his Pro debut at home in Ireland
, Tue, 21 Oct 2025Kell Brook to return in February
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 20 Oct 2025EFREN REYES AND FRANCISCO BUSTAMANTE HEADLINE HISTORIC FIELD AS PHILIPPINES OPEN DRAW REVEALED
, Mon, 20 Oct 2025North Cotabato karatekas ready in BP 2025
By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 20 Oct 2025Fundora vs. Thurman Expected to Land on Manny Pacquiao's January Undercard
By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 20 Oct 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
