Jose Valenzuela shocks Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz, wins split decision for WBA junior welter title

LOS ANGELES — Once he heard, “… and new,” Jose Valenzuela raised his hands, closed his eyes, and kneeled on the canvas in ecstasy. The rangy, 5-foot-10 southpaw used his height and reach, stayed with a game plan and did something not many thought he could do—beat Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz.

The 25-year-old Venezuelan (14-2, 9 knockouts) beat Cruz by split decision to win the WBA junior welterweight title on Saturday night at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California.

Judges Rudy Barragan (116-112) and Pat Russell (116-112) ruled in favor of Valenzuela, overriding the scorecard of Edward Hernandez (115-113 for Cruz).

“I’m speechless, speechless for a dream that came true,” Valenzuela said. “I just had to be smart. I didn’t get desperate. I did not fall under the pressure. I just stayed calm. I felt great. I felt I was in control the whole time, using my speed, using my footwork. This is for my mom and dad and all the sacrifices they made.”

CompuBox stats bore out Valenzuela’s victory. He outlanded Cruz overall, 171(37)/516 (33%) to 118 (63)/521, a 53-punch difference. He outlanded Cruz in power punches, 138 (36)/337 to 112 (61)/413. According to CompuBox, Valenzuela achieved double digits in landed punches in 11 of the 12 rounds while Cruz reached double digits in five of the 12 rounds.

The judges agreed in just three rounds, the first (Cruz), seventh and 10th. On Russell’s scorecard, Valenzuela won five of the last six rounds, and Barragan had Valenzuela winning four of the last six.

Obviously, Cruz (26-3-1, 18 KOs) thought he won the fight.

“Just listen to this crowd,” he said. “They are the judges, not me. I just have to do my job and let everyone else decide. I would like to officially request a rematch. I would definitely like to throw that down.”

In the opening seconds, the 5-foot-10 Valenzuela tried to put his 7-inch southpaw reach advantage to good use by keeping Cruz off him with the jab. But Cruz burrowed in and landed cutting, wide shots at Valenzuela.

Cruz was tough to pinpoint. He is small to begin with, made even smaller with his crouching, forward approach.

Ten seconds into the second, Cruz had Valenzuela backed into a corner, striking him with a barrage of shots, a few of which banged his head. Cruz is not averse to winging lead rights from his crouched position. With :27 seconds in the second, Cruz popped Valenzuela with a hard right to the face.

Valenzuela opened the third better than he had the previous two rounds, keeping Cruz away with his jab. A few seconds later, Cruz closed the distance, but Valenzuela began landing the left uppercut as his opponent neared. It was the first good round Valenzuela had — landing the jab and getting out of the way of the hard-charging Cruz.

Could Valenzuela keep it up?

Valenzuela used his size well again in the fourth, though with a minute into the round, Cruz did manage to bear in and connect. But Valenzuela, for the second-straight round, did well in keeping Cruz away with the jab.

After four, the fight arguably could have been even at two rounds apiece.

In the fifth, Valenzuela had Cruz flailing and missing horribly. Cruz tried coming at Valenzuela like a great crab, with its arcing, clutching claws. But he was getting hit the whole time.

Between the fourth and fifth, Cruz’s corner implored him to be more patient, do not get desperate. Valenzuela seemed to be frustrating Cruz.

Entering the sixth, it turned into a competitive fight. With 1:03 left in the fifth, Valenzuela landed a right uppercut right on Cruz’s chin that buckled his knees.

Cruz did not seem to have a Plan B. He continued to try and burrow his way in and was getting timed by Valenzuela, who was landing the uppercuts. He kept away when Cruz would lower his head and swing wildly at him.

Valenzuela, showing great ring generalship, landed a left uppercut in Cruz’s gut with 1:33 left in the seventh. Cruz ate the shot. By the end of the round, Valenzuela was backing up Cruz.

In the eighth, Cruz closed some distance, but he was relying on one punch. Valenzuela was nailing Cruz with combinations. Halfway through the eighth, Valenzuela put on a master performance, hitting Cruz at will and then getting out of the way. He closed the round with Cruz against the ropes.

In the ninth, Cruz landed a punishing left hook that forced Valenzuela’s head to swivel. Valenzuela fought smartly again in the 10th, though Cruz connected with a big right to the body.

Before Valenzuela came out for the 11th round, he was told by his corner he had two more rounds for a title. Possibly sensing he may be in some trouble, Cruz launched himself at Valenzuela in the opening minute of the 11th. CompuBox stats favored Valenzuela. In the closing seconds of the 11th, Cruz tagged Valenzuela and had him in some trouble. Valenzuela was able to last the round, but Cruz’s straight right added some drama to the last round.

With 2:05 left in the last round, Cruz popped Valenzuela’s head back with a straight right. Valenzuela landed a right uppercut with 1:30 left in the fight. Valenzuela closed well, though Cruz may have done enough to win the last round.

Joseph Santoliquito is an award-winning sportswriter who has been working for Ring Magazine/RingTV.com since October 1997 and is the president of the Boxing Writers Association of America.

Follow @JSantoliquito

The post Jose Valenzuela shocks Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz, wins split decision for WBA junior welter title appeared first on The Ring.