Lightweight boxer Jose Valenzuela avenged the only stoppage loss of his career by knocking out Edwin de los Santos in the second round during the main event of Zuffa Boxing 08 at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas on Sunday, June 28, 2026.
According to reports from CBS Sports and SI, the victory marks a major turnaround for Valenzuela, who previously suffered a third-round knockout loss to de los Santos in 2022.
In the opening round, de los Santos landed a clean left hand that visibly impacted Valenzuela.
However, Valenzuela answered with two solid left hands just before the bell, shifting the momentum in his favor.
During the second round, Valenzuela consistently closed out exchanges with a right hook.
The final punch sent de los Santos to the canvas, where he remained still for nearly a minute before rising, securing the stoppage victory.
Valenzuela Eyes Future Fights
Before the rematch, Valenzuela expressed his long-term aspirations to Sky Sports. He frequently thinks about potential matchups against prominent American fighters in the lightweight division.
"I can't help but think about Shakur Stevenson. That's a guy I've always wanted to fight, he's a hell of a fighter," Valenzuela said.
He emphasized that a potential matchup with Stevenson is highly motivating. "I'd love a fight with Shakur Stevenson.
That's a fight that really moves me."
Valenzuela described his philosophy on professional boxing championships. "That's what boxing's about.
Competing with each other."
He added, "Styles make fights and I think I'm a perfect style for Shakur Stevenson."
Reflecting on the rematch, Valenzuela stated he felt completely prepared. "I'm ready for this now."
He looked back critically on his mindset during their first bout in 2022. "I was green and immature."
Valenzuela maintained that his overall skill set surpasses de los Santos. "I believe I'm better than him.
I wasn't prepared the day we fought how I should have been."
He explained that his initial professional defeat served as a learning point. "Maybe it got to my head a little.
I was on a knockout streak. But it was a great humbling experience.
I believe God woke me up before it was too late."
Following that setback, Valenzuela endured consecutive losses before rebuilding. "I took another loss after that, two losses back to back.
I went on a whole journey of losing, having to come back again, knock out [Chris] Colbert. Became a world champion after that."
He cited a defeat against Gary Antuanne Russell as another pivotal moment. "Lost with Gary and finally learned a lot from all that.
Became a man."
Valenzuela stated his current personal and professional life allows him to prepare with clarity.
"I'm now in a place where I can just focus on boxing and my family."
He emphasized that his growth has transformed his capabilities. "It's going to be totally different.
I'm a complete fighter."
Overcoming past defeats is the ultimate validation. "It proves to me I am who I say I am."
Valenzuela concluded by discussing how handling adversity positively shapes a career.
"You can lose, you can learn and you can evolve, you can come back and you can be better.
A loss doesn't define you. If anything it'll help you."
Co-Main and Other Results
In the co-main event, featherweight Omar Trinidad remained undefeated by securing a unanimous decision victory over former champion Jerwin Ancajas, winning seven out of ten rounds on all scorecards.
Additionally, 23-year-old Cain Sandoval secured a majority decision victory over previously undefeated Brandun Lee after a 95-95, 96-94, 96-94 scorecard breakdown.
On the preliminary card, Tony Hirsch Jr. defeated Jaybrio Pe Benito via a third-round face-plant knockout.
