“Pitbull” Cruz vs Valenzuela Betting Analysis & Predictions

Isaac Cruz Defends WBA Title Against Jose Valenzuela

One of the biggest events on this summer’s schedule of boxing is coming up this weekend in Los Angeles as part of Riyadh Season’s first United States boxing event. Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz is defending his WBA super lightweight belt against Jose Valenzuela on the undercard of Crawford-Madrimov.
Read more for the Cruz vs. Valenzuela betting predictions before placing any bets of your own on this weekend’s boxing slate.

Boxing . BMO Stadium, Los Angeles, California, United States | August 03, 2024. 9:30 PM ET estimated ring walk

Valenz. 26-2-1

VS

"Pitbull" Cruz 13-2

Pick -455

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Last Fight Record

• Cruz is coming off a KO win over Rolly Romero to capture the WBA belt in March.
• Valenzuela is coming off a KO win over Chris Colbert last December to set up this title shot.

Cruz vs Valenzuela Odds to win

Moneyline:Total:

+330O:9½Ev

-455U:9½-115

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Moneyline:Total:

+300O:9½-105

-400O:9½-125

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Moneyline:Total:

+360O:9½-110

-416U:9½-126

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Moneyline:Total:

+300O:9½-142

-461U:9½+103

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Cruz vs Valenzuela Betting Analysis

Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz

• Cruz is a Mexican professional boxer with a record of 26-2-1, including 18 wins by KO so far.
• He is coming off an 8th-round KO to capture his first world championship in his second opportunity.
• He has also been the WBC Silver Lightweight champion and WBO Latino lightweight champion.
• Cruz is listed as a 5’5” orthodox boxer with a 63” reach at 26 years old. He has a 26% KO rate over his career since making his professional debut in 2015.
• He hasn’t been stopped in the ring in the 148 total professional rounds he has completed.

Jose Valenzuela

• Valenzuela is a Mexican-American boxer with a professional record of 13-2, including 9 KO victories so far in his young career.
• There isn’t much information out there on Valenzuela as he hasn’t entered the spotlight until now, but he is a talented fighter who has bounced back from two losses.
• They list Valenzuela as a 25-year-old orthodox boxer, standing at 5’10” with a 70″ reach.
• He has a 69% KO rate as well, but he has only completed 61 professional rounds since making his debut in 2018. He has been knocked down multiple times and stopped once.

Updates

DAZN has not reported any injuries.

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Cruz vs Valenzuela Betting Preview

Making Cruz vs Valenzuela boxing predictions is impossible to do without understanding the betting lines and styles for this matchup. Learning what the odds are is almost as important as breaking down the skills and styles on the tape that both of these guys have out there.

Starting with the available boxing odds, Cruz is going into this weekend as the -430 betting favorite over the +310 Valenzuela. This bout is favored to end inside the distance at -190 with two good punchers in there together. Cruz is currently -150 to win by KO and Valenzuela is at +900.

This matchup of styles is pretty straightforward to understand, along with the keys to victory for both guys. Cruz won’t ever change, he needs to keep his relentless pressure and drown Valenzuela out as the rounds go on, landing big shots to the body and head.

Valenzuela needs to use his size advantage to the fullest. That long jab needs to be working and he needs to make it very difficult for Cruz to step into range and land his power shots. He also needs to keep a tight guard and understand that this fight is going to hurt, but he needs to be around in the later rounds.

The biggest factor is going to be whether or not Cruz can get on the inside of Valenzuela. He needs to use his defense and head movement better to get away from that long jab, and he needs to invest in the body of Valenzuela early on.

Valenzuela will need to use his feet well and hopefully, he will show up in incredible condition to utilize a movement-heavy gameplan.

Cruz vs Valenzuela Betting Prediction

Following the breakdown of this fight both stylistically and on the books, the official Cruz vs Valenzuela boxing prediction is that Isaac Cruz will remain WBA world champion and get the victory on Saturday night.

Cruz has a lot of holes to fill in his game, but he is the better fighter in this matchup. He has the power advantage and Valenzuela doesn’t necessarily have a granite chin and the ability to take a lot of damage over 12 rounds. Cruz will break him down to the body and head and use his relentless pressure to overpower the lesser opponent.