Jose Valenzuela batters Donte Strayhorn
Lightweight prospect Jose Valenzuela (8-0, 5KOs) returns to the ring against Dallas, Texas native Donte Strayhorn (12-3, 4KOs). The 22-year-old, unbeaten prospect will look to pick up his ninth pro win. As an amateur, he won the 2015 Ringside World Championship. He also won the Washington State Golden Gloves in 123-pound division.
Valenzuela, who’s all offense, immediately went to work. The Washington native quickly pressed Strayhorn, unloading wicked body shots and right and left uppercuts. A hard, straight left to the body would force Strayhorn’s gloves to touch the canvas, which resulted in a knockdown being called. Strayhorn did show he came to fight by returning fire of his own. Unfortunately, he didn’t pack the dynamite in his hands to truly bother his unbeaten counterpart.
The end came in round four after Valenzuela poured on the punishment, forcing the referee to stop the fight. Jose Valenzuela improved his record to 9-0, 6 KO’s, while Strayhorn’s record falls to 12-4, 4 KO’s.
Valenzuela is powerful and exciting to watch. However, he needs more time to truly develop his skills if he wants to truly be a contender in a crowded and growing lightweight division.
By: Jerrell Fletcher
