There was the high of winning a world title and the lows of a one-sided loss during a title defense, a controversial decision defeat he later righted and getting knocked out as a prospect for his first career loss.

Another high was transpired Sunday when Valenzuela viciously exacted vengeance against the rival who first beat him by scoring a sensational second-round stoppage of Edwin De Los Santos. Valenzuela’s impressive victory headlined Zuffa Boxing 08 at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.

“I knew a lot of people were doubting me,” Valenzuela said after the fight. “My performance said a lot.”

Valenzuela (16-3, 10 KOs) lost to De Los Santos (17-3, 15 KOs) in a three-round firefight in September 2022, a slugfest in which he was dropped twice and also floored De Los Santos.

This time, De Los Santos wasn’t stepping in as an unknown replacement opponent on a one-day notice. Valenzuela had ample time to prepare for the job, and it was essentially over before it could even get underway.

“I knew he was overlooking me and I kind of gave him that,” Valenzuela said. “He paid the price this time.”

Valenzuela now aims to leverage this massive wave of momentum by seeking a scrap against Shakur Stevenson, The Ring and WBO 140-pound champion. Stevenson was criticized for his passive performance in a unanimous points win over De Los Santos in November 2023.

Valenzuela, of Renton, Washington, is competing at lightweight again after losing his WBA 140-pound crown to Gary Antuanne Russell in March 2025. His one-side points loss to Russell came in Valenzuela’s first title defense after winning the belt in a career-best decision win against Isaac Cruz in August 2024.

“[The Stevenson fight is] a great matchup,” Valenzuela said. “When you look at it stylistically, we're both left-handed fighters. He’s dominated a lot of great fighters, but they’re all [shorter than me] and things like that. William Zepeda gave him a great fight, but Zepeda is also more one-dimensional. I come from all angles, and at 135, and where I’m at this point in my life, I feel like I could beat him. I’m open to discuss things. If [Stevenson] wants to fight at 140, I can do that.

“I would love to compete against Stevenson. He’s a hell of a fighter. I think you can make an argument. Why not? It would be a great fight. Let’s give the fans a great fight. I would love the chance to fight him, if he wanted to do it.”

Stevenson caught wind of Valenzuela’s challenge and chimed in.

“Nice [win] Rayo, respect. You came on you’re A game and got it back in blood,” Stevenson said on social media. “I’d rather fight Russell. That’s a fighter who will bring the best out of me.”

As Stevenson shut the door on a potential fight, Valenzuela did the same with a trilogy against De Los Santos. Valenzuela then stated that he’s also adamant on continuing a revenge tour against Russell.

“Hell, yeah,” Valenzuela said. “I mean, get me while I’m hot. Let’s do it. I would love that [Russell fight]. I would love a rematch.”

Manouk Akopyan is The Ring’s lead writer. Follow him on X and Instagram: @ManoukAkopyan.