On August 3, 2024, a 25-year-old José Valenzuela (13-2, 9 KOs) got a shot at the WBA super-lightweight title held by 26-year-old Mexican boxer Isaac Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KOs).
Valenzuela came in to the fight on a 1-fight win streak with a 60% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 7 months and 18 days. Cruz was on a 4-fight win streak with a 62% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 4 months and 4 days.
José Valenzuela defeated Isaac Cruz via split decision and wins the WBA title — in his first world-title fight. Valenzuela improves his record to 14-2, while Cruz adds a loss to his record at 26-3-1.
On December 16, 2023, a 24-year-old José Valenzuela (12-2, 8 KOs) and a 27-year-old Chris Colbert (17-1, 7 KOs) met in the ring for the 2nd time, in a lightweight bout.
Valenzuela came in to the fight on a 2-fight losing streak with a 57% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 8 months and 21 days. Colbert was on a 1-fight win streak with a 38% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 8 months and 21 days.
In the rematch, José Valenzuela stopped Chris Colbert via KO in the 6th round. Valenzuela improves his record to 13-2 (9 KOs), while Colbert adds a loss to his record at 17-2.
On April 16, 2022, a 22-year-old José Valenzuela (11-0, 7 KOs) and a 37-year-old Mexican boxer Francisco Vargas (26-3-2, 18 KOs) met in the ring in a lightweight bout.
Valenzuela came in to the fight on a 11-fight win streak with a 63% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 3 months and 29 days. Vargas was on a -1-fight win streak with a 58% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 9 months and 28 days.
José Valenzuela stopped Francisco Vargas via KO in the 1st round. Valenzuela improves his record to 12-0 (8 KOs), while Vargas adds a loss to his record at 26-4-2.
On May 15, 2021, a 21-year-old José Valenzuela (7-0, 4 KOs) and Nelson Hampton met in the ring.
Valenzuela came in to the fight on a 7-fight win streak with a 57% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 2 months and 18 days.
José Valenzuela stopped Nelson Hampton via KO in the 1st round. Valenzuela improves his record to 8-0 (5 KOs)
On August 29, 2020, a 21-year-old José Valenzuela (5-0, 2 KOs) and Zack Kuhn met in the ring.
Valenzuela came in to the fight on a 5-fight win streak with a 40% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 11 months and 1 day.
José Valenzuela stopped Zack Kuhn via KO in the 1st round. Valenzuela improves his record to 6-0 (3 KOs)
On September 28, 2019, a 20-year-old José Valenzuela (4-0, 1 KO) and Charles Clark met in the ring.
Valenzuela came in to the fight on a 4-fight win streak with a 25% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 3 months and 5 days.
José Valenzuela stopped Charles Clark via KO in the 1st round. Valenzuela improves his record to 5-0 (2 KOs)
On December 18, 2021, a 22-year-old José Valenzuela (10-0, 6 KOs) and Austin Dulay met in the ring.
Valenzuela came in to the fight on a 10-fight win streak with a 60% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 3 months.
José Valenzuela stopped Austin Dulay via TKO in the 4th round. Valenzuela improves his record to 11-0 (7 KOs)
On August 21, 2021, a 22-year-old José Valenzuela (8-0, 5 KOs) and Donte Strayhorn met in the ring.
Valenzuela came in to the fight on a 8-fight win streak with a 62% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 3 months and 6 days.
José Valenzuela stopped Donte Strayhorn via TKO in the 4th round. Valenzuela improves his record to 9-0 (6 KOs)
On February 27, 2021, a 21-year-old José Valenzuela (6-0, 3 KOs) and Clay Burns met in the ring.
Valenzuela came in to the fight on a 6-fight win streak with a 50% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 5 months and 29 days.
José Valenzuela stopped Clay Burns via KO in the 4th round. Valenzuela improves his record to 7-0 (4 KOs)
On March 1, 2025, the 25-year-old WBA super-lightweight world champion, José Valenzuela (14-2, 9 KOs), faced a 28-year-old Gary Antuanne Russell (17-1, 17 KOs), in a title defense fight.
Valenzuela came in to the fight on a 2-fight win streak with a 56% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 6 months and 26 days. Russell was on a -1-fight win streak with a 94% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 8 months and 14 days.
Gary Antuanne Russell defeated José Valenzuela via unanimous decision and wins the WBA title — in his first world-title fight. Russell improves his record to 18-1, while Valenzuela adds a loss to his record at 14-3.