Jose Valenzuela (14-2, 9 KOs) gained a break up determination towards Isaac Cruz (26-3-1, 18 KOs) to change into the brand new WBA tremendous light-weight champion.
Whereas one decide had the motion 115-113 in favour of Cruz, the opposite two noticed it 116-112 for Valenzuela. “Pitbull” had gained the title in March this yr with a technical knockout win over Rolando Romero. Just a few months later, Valenzuela claims the belt in his first bout on the tremendous light-weight restrict.
Their battle came about on the undercard of the Israil Madrimov vs. Terence Crawford world title conflict on the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. Boxing followers in the USA had been capable of catch the motion as a pay-per-view on ESPN+, DAZN and Prime Video. These in the UK might additionally do the identical with TNT Sports activities Field Workplace. DAZN and PPV.com can even carried the motion for the remainder of the world.
The Crawford-Madrimov occasion is a part of Riyadh Season, a state-funded leisure and sports activities pageant in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Arabian Normal Leisure Authority is liable for its group.
Jose Valenzuela Dethrones Isaac Cruz as 140-lb Champion
Combat Recap
The opening spherical noticed Cruz press ahead and chase his opponent across the ring. Valenzuela appeared content material with boxing and transferring within the early rounds. Whereas “Pitbull” was persistently urgent ahead, Valenzuela by no means seemed to be significantly bothered with the stress.
Because the battle progressed, the 2 caught to their respective types. Cruz would come ahead and apply stress, whereas Valenzuela was the extra environment friendly along with his punches as he moved across the ring. The fashion of “Rayo” meant Cruz was by no means fairly capable of break down Valenzuela as he had accomplished with previous opponents.
Ultimately, two of the judges most well-liked the work of Valenzuela over Cruz. With the win, he turns into a world champion for the very first time.
Publish-fight Interviews
Isaac Cruz
“Hear, I don’t have to say a phrase, you simply take a hearken to this crowd,” mentioned Cruz by an interpreter. “They’re the decide of all this. Not me. What I wish to do although is thank the Sheikh [Turki Alalshikh], thank my household, thank my household, thank my crew. Simply hearken to this.”
“I simply get on with my job, I by no means wish to decide on the results of a battle. I simply get on with my work and let everybody else determine.”
When requested a couple of rematch, he mentioned: “I wish to lay it on the road now. I wish to formally request a rematch on behalf of my folks…”
Jose Valenzuela
“I used to be 100 per cent positive,” mentioned Valenzuela when requested how assured he was in getting the choice. “I used to be 100 per cent positive.”
“Simply be good, simply be good. I didn’t get determined, I didn’t fall into the stress. I stayed calm,” he mentioned about coping with Cruz’s stress.
“It [Cruz’s power] was cool. It was cool, nothing loopy. Nothing I by no means felt. It was good. Strong.”
Undercard Outcomes
Andy Ruiz Jr. (35-2-1, 22 KOs) and Jarrell Miller (26-1-2, 22 KOs) fought to a majority draw of their 12-round heavyweight contest. Whereas one decide had Miller profitable 116-112, the opposite two noticed it 114-114.
Martin Bakole (21-1, 16 KOs) gained through fifth-round knockout towards Jared Anderson (17-1, 15 KOs). The time of stoppage for this 10-round heavyweight conflict was 2:07. Bakole despatched Anderson to the canvas late in spherical one. Within the fifth, Anderson went down twice earlier than referee Jerry Cantu stepped in to place an finish to the competition with the American nonetheless standing.
David Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs) gained a unanimous determination towards Radivoje Kalajdzic (29-3, 21 KOs). Scores for the 12-round mild heavyweight bout had been 118-110 and 117-111.
Andy Cruz (4-0, 2 KOs) gained through seventh-round knockout towards Antonio Morán (30-7-1, 21 KOs). The time of stoppage for this 10-round light-weight battle was 2:59. Morán obtained hit with two proper fingers in direction of the top of spherical seven that had him on wobbly legs. Cruz adopted his opponent and landed one other proper earlier than referee Gerard White stepped in to start a depend, having judged Morán to have been held up by the ropes. Not lengthy after, the battle was waved off after White deemed Morán to be in no place to proceed.
Preliminary Undercard Outcomes
On a portion of the undercard that was accessible on YouTube, Steven Nelson (20-0, 16 KOs) gained through fifth-round knockout towards Marcos Vazquez (20-1-1, 10 KOs, 1 NC). The time of stoppage for this 10-round tremendous middleweight conflict was 0:50. Nelson despatched his opponent down twice within the third. Vazquez went down from a left uppercut in spherical three, inflicting referee Ray Corona to place an finish to proceedings.
Opening the printed, Ziyad Almaayouf (5-0-1, 1 KO) and Michal Bulik (6-7-1, 2 KOs) fought to a majority attract a six-round welterweight bout. Whereas one decide had Almaayouf profitable 59-55, the opposite two had it 57-57.
