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Jose Valenzuela captures Isaac Cruz's

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."

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