Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela (14-2, 9 KOs) outboxed WBA mild welterweight champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz (26-3-1, 18 KOs), beating him by a 12-round cut up resolution within the chief assist bout on Saturday night time on the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
(Credit score: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing)
Rayo’s Masterful Boxing Show
‘Rayo’ Valenzuela used his 5’10” peak, lengthy attain, and technical abilities to choose aside the 5’4″ Cruz, who was making his first protection of his WBA 140-lb title. Valenzuela did a wonderful job of outboxing Cruz and neutralizing his offense together with his motion.
The scores have been 116-112, 116-112 for Rayo, and 115-113 for Cruz.
Many followers weren’t proud of the outcomes, believing that Pitbull had completed sufficient to deserve the win. The followers booed the choice and continued to boe whereas Rayo was interviewed contained in the ring.
Cruz continuously utilized stress however was getting hit whereas coming in by Rayo. After Cruz was damage by an uppercut within the sixth spherical, he was extra cautious and never as reckless together with his assaults.
Valenzuela banked most of the early rounds together with his slick abilities after which milked his lead within the championship rounds to earn a call.
Cruz’s Valiant Effort
Though Cruz got here up quick, he landed many exhausting photographs in rounds 9 by twelve that gave the struggle a way of drama. In spherical six, Rayo shocked Pitbull with an uppercut, and he needed to accumulate himself for a quick second earlier than persevering with together with his offensive assault.
That shot would have knocked out many fighters, however Pitbull took it effectively and recovered rapidly. It was attention-grabbing to see Rayo showcase his energy and present the followers that he was the higher puncher.
What saved Cruz from successful the struggle was his jabs and the ability of Rayo, who surprisingly seemed like the larger puncher of the 2. With Rayo’s energy, Cruz couldn’t assault him the best way he wanted to for him to have received.
Will probably be attention-grabbing to see if there’s a rematch between the 2 fighters as a result of it was a detailed sufficient final result for a second struggle. Rayo would clearly want to face Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis subsequent, but when that struggle isn’t out there, a rematch with ‘Pitbull Cruz could be an excellent choice.
