“I want Shakur Stevenson. He’s a hell of a fighter. I would love to compete with him,” Valenzuela told Max Kellerman following his victory at Zuffa Boxing 08.
Valenzuela believes his aggressive style gives him the blueprint to beat the unbeaten champion.
“Styles make fights. I’m a real fighter, and he’s a boxer. I believe his kryptonite is a fighter like me.”
While the challenge was direct, making the fight is another matter.
Valenzuela is not currently ranked in the top 15 by the WBA, WBC, IBF, or WBO at lightweight. Unless the WBO agrees to sanction the bout, Stevenson would likely be unable to defend his title against an unranked challenger.
There is also little commercial incentive for Stevenson. Although Valenzuela’s knockout over De Los Santos was impressive, he has yet to establish himself as a major draw. At the same time, his power makes him a dangerous assignment for any lightweight. Stevenson has faced only one comparable puncher in recent years, De Los Santos, and their November 2023 fight was heavily criticized by fans after Stevenson relied on movement for 12 rounds to win a unanimous decision.
Valenzuela’s victory over De Los Santos may also attract scrutiny. Replays appeared to show him landing a hard follow-up right hand after De Los Santos had already fallen to the canvas. Referee Thomas Taylor neither warned Valenzuela nor deducted a point before waving off the contest.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission could be asked to review the finish after the replay showed the extra punch landing while De Los Santos was down. Whether the commission takes action or De Los Santos’ team files a protest remains to be seen, but the controversial sequence could become one of the biggest talking points to emerge from Zuffa Boxing 08.
One notable omission from Valenzuela’s post-fight comments was Gary Antuanne Russell. Rather than calling for a rematch with the last fighter to beat him, Valenzuela immediately targeted WBO light welterweight champion Shakur Stevenson.
Russell handed Valenzuela a wide unanimous decision defeat in March 2025, winning by scores of 120-108, 119-109, and 119-109. It remains one of the clearest losses of Valenzuela’s career, yet Valenzuela made no mention of trying to avenge it.
.@RayoBoxing knows who he wants next 👀 #ZuffaBoxing08 pic.twitter.com/7YvdcbWADN
— Zuffa_Boxing (@Zuffa_Boxing) June 29, 2026
Read the full article here