Jose Valenzuela is climbing mountains and adjusting to a brand new world since beating Pitbull Cruz

Three days after he climbed a mountain within the 140-pound class, it was ironic that Jose Valenzuela felt the pure affect of his upset win over Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz on his manner down a mountain. The newly minted 25-year-old WBA junior welterweight titlist had gone on a mountain climbing journey in his dwelling state of Washington when he got here throughout a younger couple who seen his face.

Valenzuela (14-2, 9 knockouts) did one thing not many thought he may do when he handed Cruz a split-decision loss on August 3 on the Terence Crawford-Israil Madrimov undercard at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Ever since Valenzuela wrested the WBA title from Cruz (26-3-1, 18 KOs), the younger southpaw has discovered his world altering.

“It was three days after the (Cruz) struggle and I wished to do one thing with household,” Valenzuela lately informed The Ring. “All my household from Mexico got here as much as see the struggle. I had been in coaching camp for 4 months, and I missed dwelling (Renton, Washington, 20 minutes south of Seattle). I miss the timber and the woods. I couldn’t wait to take my household out to do one thing collectively. We had been within the woods mountain climbing, spending good household time alone.”

That’s when he bumped into a couple of followers coming down the facet of a mountain. It blew him away that anybody would acknowledge him in that setting.

“I used to be considering like, ‘Wow, man, I’m on a hike, and these folks know me,’” Valenzuela mentioned. “What are the chances? We had been coming down a mountain path and as soon as we got here again down, this couple knew me. They requested if I used to be Jose Valenzuela. Then they mentioned, ‘You have to be resting.’ They may not consider they had been on a hike and bumping into me. I didn’t see that coming. That caught me off guard. It additionally informed me at that second immediately everybody was watching that struggle. The occasion was large. Give it some thought, I get these individuals who discover me on the facet of a mountain mountain climbing path.

“How typically does that occur?”

Ever gracious, “Rayo” took some selfies with the passing couple. As he and his household reached the bottom of the path, the surge of consideration started to construct. He wound up taking selfies with everybody.

The Cruz victory modified his life, Valenzuela mentioned. He made a career-high payday within the six-figure vary.

“I received paid properly, however this win opened the door for million-dollar paydays,” mentioned Valenzuela, who writes right-handed and does every part else left-handed. “I’m not massive into costly vehicles, I dwell in a pleasant little loft right here in Washington with my girlfriend. I don’t do costly issues. However I’m considering of larger issues personally, and as quickly as I grew to become a world champion, I all the time thought it was time to construct a household.

“Yeah, beating Cruz was life altering.”

He and his household lived in Mexico till he was three. Jose is the youngest of two older sisters, one now 29, the opposite 26. He jokes that his sisters used to beat on him rising up. He was so tiny for his age when he entered puberty that the older sister nearest in age felt like she had man energy, he says laughing. She helped toughen him up. They fought every single day.

As he received older, he grew to become extra of a foundational piece for the household. “I’m type of a father to my two nephews, 8 and a pair of, and my niece, who’s 12,” he mentioned. “I informed my older sister to clarify to her youngsters what their Uncle Jose was doing and what this struggle means to our household. I’m the one who tries to show my nephews and niece life classes.”

Valenzuela pressured that beating Cruz meant a lot to his complete household. He remembers the time the household didn’t manage to pay for to pay the electrical invoice. Valenzuela believed he carried the load of his household behind him the evening he beat Cruz. It’s why Valenzuela fell to his knees and cried when the phrases “… and new” got here from the announcer.

He lived the trials and tribulations they endured. When he was youthful, his household moved round seeking stability. In 2008, his father, Jose Valenzuela Sr., grew to become sick from working development underneath a pounding solar. His mom, Yagna, took on varied jobs in eating places, cleansing homes, a fish manufacturing unit, something to assist pay for Jose Jr.’s boxing bills.

Jose Sr. now has his personal development firm.

Valenzuela is seeking to get again into the ring someday late this 12 months or early subsequent 12 months. He’s open for a Cruz rematch.

“I’d like to struggle Cruz once more,” Valenzuela mentioned. “I gained that struggle. There was little question I gained that struggle. Cruz is a tricky man. He and his dad felt that they received robbed. There’s a little little bit of vanity to him. I caught to our recreation plan, and it labored out. I do know going into that struggle I had doubters.”

If a rematch takes place, not many will doubt Valenzuela once more. He’s been to a mountain prime.

He vows there’s extra to climb.