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Mike Coppinger, ESPN Boxing Insider
LOS ANGELES — Jose Valenzuela upset fellow Mexican Isaac Cruz by split decision to capture the WBA junior welterweight title Saturday at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
One judge scored the bout 115-113 for Cruz but was overruled by 116-112 and 116-112 scores for Valenzuela.
The win continued a stunning turnaround for Valenzuela, who suffered back-to-back defeats in 2022-23 at 135 pounds. Following a third-round knockout loss to Edwin De Los Santos, Valenzuela (14-2, 9 KOs) dropped a unanimous decision to Chris Colbert. Valenzuela’s fortunes changed in the December 2023 rematch with Colbert when he scored a spectacular sixth-round knockout victory.
Following the win, Valenzuela moved up to 140 pounds to challenge for his first world title. He came through with a career-best performance, boxing with discipline against the hard-charging, ultra-popular “Pitbull” Cruz.
“I didn’t get desperate,” said Valenzuela, 25, who is trained by former champion Robert Garcia. “I didn’t fall under the pressure. I stayed calm. I felt great. I felt like I was in control the whole time with my jab, my footwork.”
Cruz (26-3-1, 18 KOs) entered the ring rated No. 4 by ESPN at junior welterweight. In his 140-pound debut, Cruz scored an eighth-round TKO victory over Rolly Romero in March to become a first-time champion.
Cruz’s defeat to Valenzuela is his first since a spirited decision loss to boxing star Gervonta Davis in December 2021. Cruz, 26, rattled off five consecutive victories afterward.
“Just take a listen to this crowd: they’re the judge of all this, not me,” Cruz said regarding the result in translated remarks. “I never like to make a decision on what the result of the fight is. I just get on with my work and let everyone else decide.”
Cruz said he will push for a rematch.