In split decision, ‘Pitbull’ Cruz loses his title to Jose Valenzuela

Isaac Pitbull Cruz, in his first defense fight, was unable to successfully retain his super lightweight title. Jose Valenzuela snatched it from him just four months after Pitbull had become the World Boxing Association (WBA) champion. Rayo Valenzuela won the fight in a split decision (116-112, 113-115 and 116-112).

Isaac’s title of champion did not last long, as unlike in other matches, he did not rush into the attack from the start at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. He tried to change his strategy and save his explosiveness for specific moments. This tactic did not work for the Mexico City native because he faced an opponent who knew how to wait.

Yes ok Pitbull Cruz never gave up his forward-moving style, this time he was more cautious, which allowed Rayo to find mobility in the ring. The impact of Cruz’s combinations faded as the rounds went by.

The blows with which he stripped Rolando of his title Rolly Romero last March, this time they were not as accurate for the Magdalena Contreras, largely due to the distance that Valenzuela maintained at all times and how opportune he was in connecting with his opponent’s humanity.

Just as he knocked out Rolly Romero, Cruz relied on his punching power to stay afloat against the native of Los Mochis, an opponent 15 centimeters taller.

However, Valenzuela’s counterattack was effective in extinguishing Cruz’s gunpowder, who bravely went all out on the offensive, but without landing solid blows.

This way, Pitbull Cruz fell and stagnated at 26-3-1. Instead, the Ray reached 14-2 and added the second consecutive victory.

In the previous fight, Andy Ruiz returned to the ring after two years of inactivity. However, he did so with a draw against Jarrell Miller. The former heavyweight champion had an unfortunate performance due to an injury to his right wrist that he suffered in the middle of the fight. The Mexican-American dealt with this ailment throughout the fight. Miller took advantage of this situation and put on a more purposeful show. For several passages of the fight, the American looked much better. Andy, on the other hand, looked slow and without much initiative, confirming that since 2019, when he snatched the championship from Anthony Joshua, he has not had a convincing performance.

In the main event, American Terence Crawford retained his WBA super welterweight and WBO interim titles against Uzbek Israil Madrimov.