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By Sean Jones: Light-weight prospect Jose ‘El Rayo’ Valenzuela (8-0, 5 KOs) confirmed final Saturday night time that the rumors of him having knocked out Teofimo Lopez in sparring are, in actual fact, true.
(Picture credit score: Sean Michael Ham/TGB Promotions)
El Rayo says he stopped Teofimo, who’s three years older than him, with a physique shot.
In how hard-hitting ‘El Rayo’ Valenzuela destroyed his opponent Nelson Hampton (7-4, 4 KOs) by a first-round knockout final Saturday night time on the Brandon Figueroa vs. Luis Nery card on the Dignity Well being Park, in Carson, California, it’s not shocking he was in a position to destroy Teofimo.
El Rayo is an incredible puncher with both hand, significantly when going to the physique.
What’s fascinating is that El Rayo Valenzuela hasn’t obtained the identical press as 135-pounders Teofimo, Ryan Garcia, Tank Davis or Devin Haney, however he’s bought the potential of being among the finest.
Even at 21, El Rayo appears higher than Ryan Garcia, Teofimo, and Haney. The ability and the punch placement of El Rayo make him a menace to any of the highest guys at light-weight.
The devastating puncher El Rayo, 21, stated that he “twice” knocked out Teofimo in sparring a number of years in the past earlier than he made his professional debut in 2018.
Rayo confirms knocking out Teofimo
“It’s 100% fact, I ended him within the first spherical to the physique,” stated Jose ‘El Rayo’ Valenzuela final Saturday night time on the post-fight press convention intaking about him stopping Teofimo Lopez in sparring years in the past.
“Proper earlier than my professional debut [in 2018], he [Teofimo] got here again two weeks later, I ended him once more.
“We stated six, and he did 4. He solely needed 4, so he didn’t come out for the fourth spherical, however that’s previous information.
“I need to transfer ahead, I need to get huge stoppages like I did tonight, and hold getting higher and have individuals speak about this and never about sparring that was years in the past,” stated El Rayo.
You may see the ability in El Rayo’s physique punching from his struggle in opposition to Nelson Hampton final Saturday. He possesses scary energy.
What’s spectacular, although, is El Rayo was already a devastating physique puncher three years in the past when he was simply 18 when he sparred the then 21-year-old Teofimo Lopez. For El Rayo to knockout Teofimo twice in a row says lots about his punching energy.
You may’t blame Teofimo for not coming again for thirds after what he skilled in opposition to El Rayo. He can’t take the physique photographs from him.
Valenzuela predicts Teofimo KO over Kambosos
“I haven’t watched an excessive amount of of George Kambosos,” stated Rayo Valenzuela when requested about his tackle the June nineteenth struggle between Teofimo Lopez and his IBF necessary George Kambosos Jr.
“I’ve seen what I’ve seen. I feel Teofimo will cease him. I don’t suppose Kambosos has fought anybody close to [as good as Lopez] and is prepared for that step. Nevertheless it needs to be a very good struggle. I’ve Teofimo successful in 5 rounds.
“That’s an incredible struggle,” stated Rayo Valenzuela on the Might twenty ninth match between WBC light-weight champion Devin Haney and Jorge Linares.
“I feel that’s what Haney wanted that fighter that might take him up over the hill to present him the respect that he deserves.
It’s going to be an incredible struggle. I feel Haney takes it. I feel Linares is slowing down now, so excellent struggle,” stated El Rayo Valenzuela.
George Kambosos Jr is a small man in comparison with the hulking Teofimo, who arguably needs to be combating at 140, if not 147 already.
Kambosos has glorious pace and energy for a light-weight, however he’s not going to be dealing with a standard 135-pounder on June nineteenth.
Teofimo is HUGE for the light-weight division, and and not using a rehydration clause to maintain him from taking pictures up close to 150 lbs on struggle night time, Kambosos Jr received’t have a prayer.
If that they had same-day weigh-ins like previously, we wouldn’t see as many weight bullies as we do right this moment, however that’s how the game is now.
Rayo desires Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Gonzalez subsequent
“These prospects at 135 that aren’t champions,” stated Rayo when requested who he desires to struggle at light-weight subsequent. “The bulldog man from Mexico? [Isaac Cruz ‘Pitbull’ Gonzalez].
“That’s an incredible struggle for me. I feel that’s an incredible struggle, he’s very robust, and I feel that I’ll take the victory. And all these different guys which might be there which might be prospects.”
“I feel Tank or Teofimo,” stated Rayo when requested who the very best fighter is at 135. “They each have a lot momentum and the knockout energy. That’s why I really feel that I slot in there with these guys, as you noticed. I’m a robust fighter.
“I feel that’s an incredible transfer as a result of I feel he’ll beat [Mario] Barrios,” stated Rayo when requested about his opinion on Tank Davis shifting as much as 140 to tackle WBA ‘common’ mild welterweight champion Mario Barrios on June twenty sixth.
“Barrios is an efficient fighter, however Tank has qualities that may adapt, and he’s sturdy sufficient to be at 140. I feel Barrios is an ideal fighter for that, and he can get a title. It’s an incredible transfer.
“Yeah, hopefully, I can get on David’s undercard,” stated Rayo when requested when he’ll be combating once more. “That’s what they advised me. So I’ll be again in August.
“It was a first-round knockout with an overhand left. I felt excellent, I felt very sturdy,” stated Rayo about his knockout win over Nelson Hampton.
“I feel I ought to have carried out higher head motion as a result of he bought me with some foolish photographs that he shouldn’t have gotten me with. However I really completely satisfied as a result of I can be taught from this, and he fought again in contrast to my final opponent.
“I’m undoubtedly going to remain on this division [135]. I could make weight very easy,” Rayo stated on whether or not he’ll transfer as much as 140 or keep at 135.
“I used to be really considering of taking place to 130 as a result of I make weight fairly simple. I might eat all week 3 times a day. No, I really feel good, I really feel sturdy. We’ll see what the long run holds.
#2 IBF, #3 WBA Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Gonzalez (21-1-1, 15 KOs) is one other gifted light-weight that doesn’t get a number of press from the media, however he’s a wonderful fighter.
If El Rayo can knockout ‘Pitbull’ Gonzalez, that’ll shoot him up excessive within the rankings at 135 if he chooses to remain on this weight class moderately than transfer all the way down to 130.
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