Cruz vs Valenzuela Predictions: ‘Pitbull’ can have his day in L.A.

Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz defends his WBA super lightweight championship against Jose Valenzuela this Saturday, August 3. The fight takes place at SMO Stadium in Los Angeles on the Riyadh Season pay-per-view card. The event features Terence Crawford vs Israil Madrimov as its bill-topper, with DAZN PPV broadcasting.

Here are my Cruz vs Valenzuela predictions as boxing prepares for the return of a true fan favourite.

‘Pitbull’ has earned a growing following for his all-action style and willingness to take on anyone. The fact that Cruz’s only loss came against the oft-avoided Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis speaks volumes. The fact that he became only the second man to take Davis the distance, and the first over 12 rounds, adds to the allure.

But Cruz’s career is not defined by that fine showing in a defeat. He is a worthy world champion in his own right. Highlight-reel finishes over Diego Magdaleno, Yuriorkis Gamboa and Eduardo Ramirez made his case for a title tilt. That came last time out, when ‘Pitbull’ mauled Rolly Romero in eight rounds to capture the vacant WBA strap.

Valenzuela is a curious choice for a first title defence and an uncharacteristically one-sided piece of matchmaking for a Riyadh Season card. The challenger has lost two of his last three fights, which is hardly the run of form you expect to earn you a crack at the belt.

Valenzuela was put down in three rounds by Edwin De Los Santos in September 2022. Admittedly his conqueror would go on to challenge Shakur Stevenson for the vacant WBC lightweight title. Valenzuela did also knock De Los Santos down in their fight. But losing by knockout in three rounds doesn’t inspire confidence considering Cruz is a level above De Los Santos.

A pair of fights with Chris Colbert followed. Valenzuela lost to ‘Prime Time’ via unanimous decision in their first outing. Many felt the verdict was controversial and a rematch was set. To his immense credit, Valenzuela looked like a different boxer in the return, pouring on the pressure and securing the stoppage in six rounds.

Colbert is a fine fighter and that victory is a good one to ride into Saturday’s match-up. But the De Los Santos defeat still raises concerns about Valenzuela’s durability. Cruz has knocked out 18 men across his 26 victories. He will be approaching this bout looking to do the same.

Cruz vs Valenzuela Fight Odds

Valenzuela’s uphill climb is reflected in his 3/1 odds of victory. Cruz leads the way at 1/4 while the draw is a 16/1 shot.

Cruz vs Valenzuela Full Card

Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov; For the WBO interim super welterweight title and Madrimov's WBA super welterweight title 

Andy Ruiz vs. Jarrell Miller; Heavyweight 

Jared Anderson vs. Martin Bakole; Heavyweight 

Isaac Cruz vs. Jose Valenzuela; For Cruz's WBA super lightweight title 

David Morrell vs. Radivoje Kalajdzic; Light heavyweight 

Andy Cruz vs. Antonio Moran; Lightweight 

Steve Nelson vs. Marcos Ramon Vazquez; Super middleweight 

Ziyad Almaayouf vs. Michal Bulk; Welterweight

Cruz vs Valenzuela Prediction

I think my feelings have been clear throughout this piece. Without meaning to, I have peppered in unwitting clues to my prediction. I feel Cruz takes this one by knockout, a 4/6 punt. Valenzuela is keen and talented, but Cruz is a fighter of genuine world class.

You can find all our latest boxing betting tips and analysis at our Betfred Insights Boxing page and our latest boxing odds here.