Edwin De Los Santos Blasts Through Jose Valenzuela!
The potential for fireworks was high as lightweight southpaws Jose “El Rayo” Valenzuela (12-1, 8 KOs) and Edwin De Los Santos (15-1, 14 KOs) battled it out in a scheduled ten-round battle at Crypto Arena in Los Angeles, California.
Valenzuela is one of the more exciting up-and-coming prospects on the PBC roster. The 24-year-old has stormed through the competition so far. He’s displayed speed, skill, and power that has caught the attention of pundits. The sanctioning bodies have also taken notice. Valenzuela is already ranked ninth by the WBC.
He faced De Los Santos, a late replacement for former WBA junior lightweight titlist Jezreel Corrales, who withdrew after being unable to secure a travel visa. De Los Santos came into this bout with the reputation of a big-hitter. The 22-year-old feels he has the kind of power that can take anyone out.
BOMBS AWAY
De Los Santos got to a cracking start as he buzzed Valenzuela with right hooks in the opening round. He was on the march when suddenly, he was put on the seat of his pants by a Valenzuela-left midway through round two. Undeterred, De Los Santos dusted himself off and put Valenzuela down with a right hook/left-hand combination on the jaw. Valenzuela was the more wobbly fighter. By the end of the second, his legs were visibly shaken.
Valenzuela was getting hurt from every power shot. De Los Santos knew it and went back on the attack at the start of the third. A succession of power punches again had his opponent unsteady. A series of power lefts had Valenzuela out on his feet, and referee Ray Carona wisely called a halt to the contest sixty-eight seconds into round three.
Despite the late notice, De Los Santos fought as if his hair was on fire. He had mean intentions and overpowered a rising, unbeaten fighter that left the fans buzzing. That kind of performance will have fans wanting to see him again, for sure.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
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