Edwin De Los Santos has dismissed his upcoming June 28 rematch against Jose Valenzuela as “quite unnecessary,” insisting that their explosive 2022 encounter already settled any debate over who is the superior lightweight. The 26-year-old Dominican southpaw will face Jose Valenzuela at The Chelsea within The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, headlining a Zuffa Boxing 08 card. Having stopped his rival in the third round of their first meeting, De Los Santos remains adamant that the sequel will end with the same result, whether by decision or knockout.
The 10-round headliner serves as a significant crossroads for both men under the banner of Zuffa Boxing, a venture launched by TKO, the parent company of the UFC. For the 26-year-old Jose Valenzuela, the bout is a quest to redeem himself following the only stoppage loss of his professional career. De Los Santos, however, views the pairing as a redundant hurdle he has already cleared. Despite his personal lack of enthusiasm, the Dominican puncher acknowledged the fan demand driving the event, promising to show the world that Edwin De Los Santos is the “real deal.”
Disputed claims over short notice preparation
A primary narrative fueling the rematch is Jose Valenzuela’s assertion that he was physically compromised during their first fight on September 4, 2022, at the Crypto.com Arena. Jose Valenzuela has cited multiple hurdles, including leg surgery performed just two weeks prior to the bout, requiring him to wear a sleeve and take antibiotics. He admitted to being overconfident and caught up in the moment, describing the third-round TKO defeat as a “humbling experience.”
Edwin De Los Santos has a very different recollection of those circumstances. He pointed out that he was the one who actually accepted that first fight on two weeks’ notice as a replacement for Jezreel Corrales. By highlighting his own limited preparation time, De Los Santos aims to strip away his opponent’s excuses. He argued that despite his own short notice, he dropped Jose Valenzuela three times in that fight, proving his power was the deciding factor.
Overcoming illness and ring rust
The path back to Las Vegas has been mentally grueling for De Los Santos. The 26-year-old revealed he battled an illness for roughly a year and a half that kept him out of the ring, describing the condition as something that “could have been fatal.” This period of inactivity, combined with his narrow decision loss to Shakur Stevenson in November 2023, left him frustrated. He also faced disappointment when a scheduled world title bout against Keyshawn Davis fell through after Davis failed to make weight.
Now recovered and fighting under the management of Adrian Clark, CEO of Fighters First Management, De Los Santos signed with Zuffa Boxing specifically to stay active. He credited the promotion’s commitment to frequent opportunities as a major inspiration for joining their roster. For De Los Santos, June 28 is an opportunity to shake off the mental toll of his recent layoff and move toward the high-stakes matchups he feels he deserves.
Tactical shifts in the Valenzuela rematch
Edwin De Los Santos has noted changes in Jose Valenzuela’s approach since their first encounter nearly two years ago. While Jose Valenzuela has sought to refine his technique and limit himself in certain fights, De Los Santos believes the Mexican-American fighter still exhibits vulnerabilities. During a face-off in May, De Los Santos claimed he saw nerves in his opponent, reinforcing his confidence that the outcome will not change.
Tactically, De Los Santos plans to stay focused on his own aggression while acknowledging that Jose Valenzuela’s style often depends on the opponent he faces. He has warned fans that “La Granada” (The Grenade) has returned and that his training for a full 10 rounds does not preclude an early night. He expects to match Jose Valenzuela’s abilities just as he believes he matched the speed and strength of Shakur Stevenson in his previous high-profile outing.
Logistics and broadcast details for Zuffa Boxing 08
Fans attending the event at The Chelsea can expect doors to open at 1:00 PM. Tickets for the Las Vegas card are available via Ticketmaster and TickPick, with prices on the latter starting at $110. The event is a centerpiece for the burgeoning Zuffa Boxing promotion, which aims to leverage the TKO infrastructure to provide a consistent platform for its signed talent.
The broadcast schedule caters to a global audience. In the United States, viewers can stream the main card on Paramount+, while fans in the United Kingdom and Ireland can follow the action on Sky Sports. The main card is scheduled to begin between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM ET, following a preliminary card that starts as early as 5:00 PM ET. This accessibility ensures a wide reach for a fight that De Los Santos believes will be an “absolute spectacle.”
Looking toward a Shakur Stevenson rematch
Success on June 28 remains the first step in what De Los Santos hopes is a path back to a world title. He remains vocal about his 2023 loss to Shakur Stevenson, a fight he considers the toughest test of the American’s career. De Los Santos questioned why an immediate rematch never materialized if Stevenson was indeed hampered by a hand injury as claimed. He holds Stevenson 100 percent responsible for the inactivity in that bout and remains eager for a second chance.
While he is focused on the task at hand in Las Vegas, De Los Santos makes no secret of his desire to face the division’s champions again. He believes that proving his first win over Jose Valenzuela was no fluke will re-establish his standing in the lightweight rankings. For now, he must navigate the “unnecessary” sequel at The Cosmopolitan to ensure he remains in the conversation for major world title opportunities.
