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.
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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."
