Valenzuela’s Comeback Victory
In an impressive comeback performance, Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela triumphed over Diego Torres in his debut under the Zuffa Boxing promotion on Sunday night at Meta Apex in Las Vegas. Valenzuela, who previously held the WBA super lightweight title, showcased his resilience by securing a unanimous decision victory despite suffering a severe cut above his right eye during the contest. The judges scored the bout in Valenzuela’s favor, awarding him nine out of ten rounds on each scorecard.
Challenges and Performance
This fight marked Valenzuela’s return to the ring after losing his title to Gary Antuanne Russell earlier this year. His journey back to the lightweight division was not without challenges; a left hook from Torres in Round 4 opened a gaping cut that raised concerns about the fighter’s ability to continue. Despite this setback, Valenzuela maintained his composure and elevated his performance in the latter rounds of the fight. As Torres’s output decreased, Valenzuela seized the opportunity to utilize his speed and skill, effectively countering Torres’ attacks and landing powerful left hands.
“I never got handouts,”
Valenzuela remarked, emphasizing his preference for tough challenges over easier routes to success.
Meanwhile, Torres entered the ring with momentum, having won four consecutive fights since being stopped by IBF lightweight champion Raymond Muratalla in late 2023.
Co-Main Event Highlights
In the co-main event, Serhii Bohachuk revitalized his career with a split decision victory against Radzhab Butaev, a former WBA welterweight champion. The fight was characterized by intense exchanges and a relentless pace set by Bohachuk. Despite Butaev landing significant shots in the earlier rounds, the constant aggression from Bohachuk ultimately proved decisive, allowing him to edge the match.
Dramatic Opening Fight
The evening also featured a dramatic opening fight where Radivoje Kalajdzic staged a remarkable comeback against Oleksandr Gvozdyk, the former WBC light heavyweight champion. Kalajdzic, who had faced adversities throughout the match, including being knocked down twice, surged back in Round 7 to deliver two knockdowns against Gvozdyk, leading to a referee stoppage and a stunning TKO victory.
Event Summary
Overall, Zuffa Boxing’s second event significantly improved upon its inaugural show, with exhilarating performances across the main card. Results from the main card were as follows:
- Lightweight: Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela defeated Diego Torres via unanimous decision (99-91, 99-91, 99-91)
- Middleweight: Serhii Bohachuk defeated Radzhab Butaev via split decision (96-94, 94-96, 96-94)
- Light Heavyweight: Radivoje Kalajdzic defeated Oleksandr Gvozdyk via seventh-round TKO
Preliminary results also showcased competitive matchups, indicating a promising future for Zuffa Boxing.
