Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz loses WBA Lightweight championship in major upset v Jose Valenzuela

Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz was unhappy with the split decision and asked for an immediate rematch

Mexican lightweight boxing talent Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz had been hyped up to be the man who takes the win against Jose Valenzuela in an all-Mexican affair at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. He was defending the WBA Super Lightweght title he had won against Rolando Romero in his previous fight. It was a raw battle between both Mexican boxers, so equal that the judges needed to go to the cards and deliver the winner’s name via a split decision. Cruz is considered one of the hardest punchers in Mexican boxing right now but he was bested by Valenzuela, according to the judges. At 26 years old, Cruz still has a long road ahead of him and he’s already been fighting for belts over the last three years. He’s not going anywhere.

Mike Tyson was watching the fight from the stands

A boxing legend who previously said Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz was the fighter who reminds him of himself the most was in the building. Mike Tyson made a public appearance and he was looking good sitting ringside to watch Cruz lose his title. Tyson attended the fight alongside his wife, Lakiha Spicer. As ‘Iron Mike’ watched, the judges scored the fight 116-112, 116-112, and 113-115 to give Valenzuela the split decision. But after the fight, Cruz was fuming and speaking directly to the WBA leaders to ask them if they could get a rematch ASAP. Clearly, Cruz thought he won that fight and the fans seemed to be on his side.

As soon as the decision was given, Cruz seemed bemused by not hearing his name while Valenzuela celebrated dethroning the ‘Pitbull’. Everybody was rooting for him to win, there were many who wagered a lot of money in his favor and he couldn’t deliver. Speaking to the reporter onside the ring, Cruz said: “I want to ask Al Haymon and the WBA to please order a direct rematch against Valenzuela, I want a rematch. The public is the best judge and they know exactly who won the fight tonight.” A large part of the public cheered when Cruz spoke those words.