Isaac Cruz vs. Jose Valenzuela: Live round-by-round updates

Isaac Cruz vs. Jose Valenzuela will serve as the co-main event for Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov, later tonight at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.

Cruz (26-2-1) is undoubtedly one of the finest talents at super lightweight. The 26-year-old's star power has seen a notable rise following his WBA super lightweight title-winning performance against Rolando Romero in March.

Furthermore, apart from a unanimous decision loss to Gervonta Davis in 2021, 'Pitbull' has been unstoppable in recent years.

Valenzuela (13-2) on the other hand, has churned out mixed results in recent years. While 'Rayo' managed to register a sixth-round TKO win over Chris Colbert in his most recent outing, he is 3-2 in his last five.

Valenzuela is a +430 underdog against 'Pitbull' (-430 favorite) for the matchup, per a report by Odds Trader.

The main card fights are now underway. Stick with Sportskeeda for live coverage and play-by-play updates from the event.

Watch Isaac Cruz and Jose Valenzuela face off ahead of their clash below:

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Isaac Cruz vs. Jose Valenzuela

Round 1

Cruz closes distance early and unloads powerful body shots on his opponent. 'Rayo' is trying to catch his opponent with jabs, but is failing to connect clean.

'Pitbull' closes distance again and unloads body shots and 'Rayo' connects with a check hook. 'Pitbull' is employing constant pressure.

A close round but Cruz seems to have the edge.

Our score: 10-9 Cruz.

Round 2

Cruz once again pushes his opponent back to the corner and unloads a flurry of body shots. 'Pitbull's' footwork and head movement are on full display as he effortlessly evades his opponent's punches.

Valenzuela is having a hard time stopping Cruz's onslaught. A good right hand up top lands for Cruz. 'Rayo' returns fire with an uppercut, on his aggressive opponent.

'Rayo' seems to be looking for an opportunity to uncork his right uppercut. Cruz finishes the round connecting a good left hand.

Our score: 10-9 Cruz.

Round 3

'Rayo' is having more success in this round as he finds the target more often. However, 'Pitbull' is still the aggressor. 'Rayo' catches his opponent with a three-punch combo. Cruz returns fire with a looping left hook.

'Pitbull' is effortlessly closing the distance and out-landing his opponent. 'Rayo' lands an uppercut on the inside.

Our score: 10-9 Valenzuela.

Round 4

Cruz is still closing the distance with reckless abandon. The tactic has worked well for him till now. 'Rayo' catches his opponent with a two-punch combo to the body. A crushing right hook to the head lands for 'Pitbull'.

Valenzuela is leaving his chin up too much, something 'Pitbull' might exploit as the fight progresses. A close round.

Our score: 10-9 Cruz.

Round 5

'Rayo' seems to have found his rhythm and is finding success in getting out of the way of an overly aggressive Cruz's power punches. Valenzuela is winning the jab battle as he stings his opponents sporadically to keep his opponent guessing.

'Pitbull' is having a hard time closing the distance like he did in the initial rounds. 'Rayo' seems to be outboxing his aggressive opponent at this point. Cruz connects with a powerful body shot. A good round for 'Rayo'.

Our score: 10-9 Valenzuela

Round 6

Cruz is still the more aggressive fighter but is finding it hard to connect clean on his opponent. 'Rayo' sticks his opponent with stiff jabs to the head. A quick check hook lands for 'Rayo' and 'Pitbull' returns with a hook of his own.

An uppercut buckles Cruz's legs, however, the fighter punches his way out of further punishment. 'Pitbull' plays possum, lures his opponent to engage, and surprises him with a flurry of powerful shots.

Our Score: 10-9 Valenzuela.

Round 7

'Pitbull' is once again trying to jab his way into range. Cruz has upped the pace even more. However, Valenzuela's credible defense is denying his opponent chances to fight on the inside, where 'Pitbull' usually does his best work.

A flurry of body shots lands for Cruz from near the ropes. Valenzuela ends the round landing some crisp counter shots. A very close round.

Our score: 10-9 Valenzuela.

Round 8

Valenzuela is effectively dealing with his opponent's pressure. 'Rayo's' taller frame is helping him out jabbing his foe. He stuns Cruz momentarily with an uppercut. 'Pitbull' returns fire with a multi-punch combo upstairs.

A right-hand lands flush for 'Rayo'. Valenzuela expertly evades a barrage of Cruz's power shots. A good round for Valenzuela.

Our score: 10-9 Valenzuela.

Round 9

An accidental low blow forces the referee to stop the action. As the fight restarts, Cruz comes out aggressive. 'Rayo' connects with a crisp right hand to close out the round.

Our score: 10-9 Cruz.

Round 10

Valenzuela has outlanded Cruz in terms of power punches at this point. Midway through Round 10, 'Rayo' seems fresh, he is effectively out-jabbing 'Pitbull', halting his advance.

A big left lands for Cruz to end the round.

Our score: 10-9 Valenzuela.

Round 11

Cruz senses he needs to win some rounds. 'Pitbull' is advancing with reckless abandon hoping to land a debilitating flurry. Double right-hand land upstairs for Cruz.

'Pitbull' stings his opponent with a few body shots. 'Rayo' has however been largely able to disrupt his opponent's rhythm.

An uppercut lands for Valenzuela and 'Pitbull' returns with a multi-punch flurry. Cruz closes the rounds strong catching his opponent with multiple shots to the head. 'Pitbull' might have stolen the round with the last-second flurry.

Our score: 10-9 Cruz.

Round 12

Sensing the urgency, Cruz is laying it all on the line. He is aggressively closing the distance and landing powerful shots. A big right hand by Cruz stuns his opponent. Another right connects for 'Pitbull'.

Cruz pushes his opponent to the ropes with a left-hand right hook combo. Cruz looks like he is still hunting for a finish. 'Rayo' lands a slick left hand to finish the fight. A very close round.

Our score: 10-9 Cruz.

Stay tuned for the official decision.

Official decision: Jose Valenzuela def. Isaac Cruz via split decision. (116-112, 115-113, 116-112)

'Rayo' captures the WBA super lightweight title.

Check out the official decision below: