Honestly, boxing is a cruel sport. One minute you’re on top of the world after a masterclass performance against Isaac "Pitbull" Cruz, and the next, you’re looking at a scorecard that doesn't go your way in Brooklyn. That’s the reality for Jose "Rayo" Valenzuela right now. After losing his WBA super lightweight title to Gary Antuanne Russell in March 2025, the question of the Rayo Valenzuela next fight has become the obsession of every hardcore fan tracking the 140-pound shark tank.
He’s currently sitting in a weird spot. He isn't the champion anymore, but he’s still the guy who outboxed Pitbull Cruz when everyone thought he’d get flattened.
The State of Play for Rayo’s Return
Valenzuela is 26. He’s young. He’s tall for the division at 5'9", and he’s got that southpaw snap that makes life miserable for anyone trying to get inside. But that loss to Russell at the Barclays Center changed the trajectory. It wasn't a blowout, but it was clear that Russell’s pressure eventually told the story. Now, Rayo has to decide if he wants to stay at 140 or maybe look back down at lightweight where he spent a huge chunk of his early career.
People keep asking: who’s next?
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Potential Opponents on the Horizon
There’s been a ton of chatter about a few specific names. You’ve got to look at the landscape of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) because that’s where the chess pieces move.
- The Isaac Cruz Rematch: This is the big one. Pitbull wants his revenge. Rayo wants to prove the first win wasn't a fluke. It makes too much financial sense for it not to happen eventually.
- The Zuffa Boxing Wildcard: Interestingly, rumors surfaced in early 2026 that Valenzuela might be one of the names linked to Dana White's Zuffa Boxing venture. If that's true, his next fight could be the headliner for a whole new era of televised boxing.
- Shakur Stevenson: Rayo himself has mentioned he’d love a crack at Shakur. Is it likely? Probably not immediately, but Valenzuela has never been one to shy away from a stylistic nightmare.
Why the Gary Antuanne Russell Loss Matters
Let's be real—the fight against Russell showed both Rayo’s brilliance and his "kinda" frustrating tendency to take his foot off the gas. He’s crafty. He told The Ring before that fight that he felt he was more technical than Russell. For about six rounds, he was right.
But boxing isn't a six-round sport.
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By the time they hit the championship rounds in New York, the momentum had shifted. Losing that WBA belt was a massive blow because it took away his leverage. Now, instead of defending a title, he’s the high-risk, medium-reward opponent that top contenders want to avoid. He’s too dangerous to be a "tune-up" but doesn't have the belt to force the big names into the ring.
The Training Camp Shift
Rumors from the camp suggest Valenzuela is tightening up the defense. We’ve seen him get caught before—think back to that Edwin De Los Santos disaster in 2022. He’s a different fighter now, much more composed, but he still has those moments where he stays a bit too static.
Working with the Benavidez family in the past gave him that "monster" mentality, but Rayo’s best weapon is his range. If he can pair that range with the stamina to go 12 hard rounds without those mental lapses, he’s a nightmare for anyone in the top ten.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Rayo
A lot of casual fans think Rayo is just a "pretty" boxer who can't handle the heat. They see the Chris Colbert loss (the first one) and the De Los Santos KO and think he’s fragile.
That’s a mistake.
You don't stand in the pocket with Pitbull Cruz and win a decision if you're soft. Rayo showed a chin and a level of grit in that fight that silenced a lot of people. The Rayo Valenzuela next fight isn't just about getting a win; it’s about proving that he belongs in the elite tier of the 140-pound division alongside guys like Teofimo Lopez or Liam Paro.
The Path Back to a Title
- A Top-10 Bounce Back: He needs a name. Someone like Alberto Puello or perhaps the winner of an interim title bout.
- Stay Active: Rayo sometimes has long layoffs. To stay in the mix for a 2026 title shot, he needs to fight at least twice this year.
- The Zuffa Factor: If he’s actually signed with the new Zuffa Boxing promotion, expect him to be fast-tracked. Dana White doesn't do "slow builds."
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to follow the Rayo Valenzuela next fight developments, here is what you actually need to do:
- Watch the WBA Rankings: Since he's a former champ, he should stay in the top 5. If he drops below 10, the road back gets much longer.
- Monitor PBC and Prime Video Announcements: Most of his major fights go through the Amazon Prime partnership now.
- Check the Weight: Keep an eye on his weigh-in photos on social media. If he looks drained at 140, a move to 147 might be in the cards, though he'd be undersized there.
The next few months are "make or break" for Rayo. He’s got the talent to be a multi-time world champion, but in a division this deep, there's no room for another slip-up. He needs to find that perfect balance between his natural boxing skill and the aggression needed to close out fights. Whether it's a rematch with Pitbull or a fresh face in a new promotion, Rayo Valenzuela remains one of the most watchable fighters in the game today.