Edwin De Los Santos is set to rematch Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela, according to BoxingScene. The welterweight bout will headline the Zuffa Boxing card on Sunday night, October 1, 2023, at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.
What happened
De Los Santos, 26, holds a record of 17-2 with 15 knockouts. He previously faced Valenzuela, 15-3 with 9 KOs, in a 2022 match where he knocked out Valenzuela in the third round. Valenzuela attributed that loss to issues such as a recovery from leg surgery and distractions in his camp.
“I feel bad if there were things going on with him or his camp,” De Los Santos said. “Everyone knows when they have a fight coming up, that they need to be ready, so you have to forget everything distracting you and just focus on that fight.”
De Los Santos has encountered challenges of his own, including losing to Shakur Stevenson in November 2023, a bout labeled as one of the most uneventful in history. “I’m going into this fight secure while [Valenzuela’s] coming in with those excuses,” he stated, emphasizing his focus on winning.
Why it matters
This rematch is crucial for both fighters as they aim to carve out significant paths in the welterweight division. A victory for De Los Santos could propel him back into contention, particularly after his long absence from the ring.[3]
De Los Santos expressed that being active was a key reason for joining Zuffa Boxing. The promotion’s commitment to keeping fighters engaged presents opportunities for both De Los Santos and Valenzuela to prove themselves.[1]
Background
On May 20, 2023, De Los Santos faced Stevenson, marking his return after over two years out of the ring due to health issues, including a serious blood clot. Prior to that, he had a postponed bout against Keyshawn Davis in 2022 when Davis missed weight.
A low-profile bout in December 2022 resulted in a first-round knockout victory for De Los Santos, reigniting his boxing career and setting the stage for the upcoming rematch with Valenzuela.
What’s next
The rematch between De Los Santos and Valenzuela is scheduled for October 1, 2023. A win for either fighter could lead to more significant matchups in the future, particularly for De Los Santos, who seeks to redeem himself following his previous defeat.
