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Jose Valenzuela wasted no time making his intentions known. Fresh off a knockout win in his Zuffa Boxing debut, the former world champion named the opponent he wants next. That opponent is Shakur Stevenson, one of the sport’s most avoided fighters. So the callout carries weight, and the timing behind it makes the fight more possible than ever.
Why the timing suddenly works
Stevenson, 29, reportedly has strong links to Dana White’s new Zuffa Boxing outfit. Reports suggest he could confirm the switch soon, though nothing official exists yet. His last fight came in January, when he outpointed Teofimo Lopez by unanimous decision. That win made him a four division world champion and handed him the WBO super lightweight title.
However, one detail complicates his path at Zuffa. The promotion does not currently recognize 140 pounds as an official weight class. Stevenson has also left the door open to a return to 135 pounds. He previously defended his WBC belt three times at that weight. Consequently, a drop back to lightweight could put him directly in Valenzuela’s path.
Valenzuela states his case
Valenzuela, known as Rayo, made his own statement last weekend. He knocked out Edwin De Los Santos in the second round of his Zuffa debut at 135 pounds. The result also settled an old score, since De Los Santos had stopped him in three rounds back in 2022.
Speaking with Zuffa afterward, Valenzuela said he has wanted the Stevenson fight since he was young. Even during his own title reign, he said, he pushed for it. He described himself as a fighter first while calling Stevenson a boxer first. In his view, styles make fights, and his style makes him the perfect answer to the champion. He went as far as comparing himself to Stevenson’s kryptonite.
What Valenzuela brings to the table
The callout comes from a fighter with real credentials. Valenzuela won the WBA lightweight title in 2024 by edging a split decision over Isaac Cruz. He then lost the belt the following year to Gary Antuanne Russell, who currently holds a super lightweight championship. Since that defeat, Valenzuela has moved back down to lightweight and rebuilt his momentum. His knockout last weekend suggested the move down suits him.
For now, the fight remains talk. Stevenson has not signed with Zuffa, and no matchup exists on paper. Still, the pieces are lining up in a way they never have before. If Stevenson joins the promotion and drops to 135 pounds, Valenzuela may finally get his childhood dream fight. Whether his kryptonite theory survives contact with one of boxing’s slickest champions is another question entirely.
SOURCE: BOXING NEWS
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