Sometimes, when things are going your way, you can get ahead of yourself. Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela can admit that hubris began seeping into his bloodstream with each highlight-reel-worthy knockout.
Against Edwin De Los Santos in 2022, Valenzuela (13-2, 9 KOs) believed that once he connected, their showdown would be called off. Their matchup didn’t go incredibly long, but with both men hitting the canvas, a jam-packed crowd in the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, stood on their feet, waiting to see what would happen next.
In the third, it was Valenzuela who was on the wrong end of a brutal round, forcing referee Ray Corona to call things off. Just a few months later, he hit rock bottom, losing a controversial decision to Chris Colbert.
The 24-year-old had some serious soul-searching to do. Once he looked in the mirror and realized that he needed to improve, the immediate results have been exactly what he was hoping for.
Just a few short weeks ago, Valenzuela found himself standing across the ring from Colbert again. This time around, he dominated him to the tune of a sixth-round stoppage win. The victory was lovely, but the WBA sanctioning body made it sweeter once it was revealed that his showdown against Colbert was an official title eliminator.
Now, with the ball somewhat in his court, Valenzuela is hoping to match up with Gervonta Davis. On numerous occasions, the Mexican native has called out the hard-hitting star. But, in the eyes of fans, his contemporaries, and prognosticators, a showdown with Davis would end horrifically for him.
Valenzuela can hear his critics from a mile away. He doesn’t have a problem with anyone doubting him but to a large extent, there’s a reason why he looked awful against De Los Santos.
“I think people say that because they see the fight with me and Edwin,” said Valenzuela to Fight Hub TV when asked if it bothers him that most aren’t giving him a chance against Davis. “I wasn’t as focused. He taught me a helluva lesson. I wasn’t focused.”
For the most part, just about everyone in the lightweight division wants a piece of Davis. Some of it has to do with Davis being one of boxing’s cash cows. Also, he’s viewed as one of the best fighters in the world.
Putting together a game plan to take Davis down wouldn’t be easy but it’s something Valenzuela believes his team can do. No matter if his corner instructs him to box from the outside or get in close, Valenzuela has a feeling that if he lands on the tip of Davis’ chin, the pound-for-pound star won’t wake up until the following morning.
“If I fought Tank, I would fight him very smart. I would have my feet under me and one thing that you can’t count out is knockout power. I’m a dangerous fighter. I wouldn’t be surprised if I knocked him out.”