The relationship between a fighter and their trainer always has and always will be a special one – especially when a pair begin their career together and achieve that illustrious goal of becoming a world champion. However, one reigning champion in the world of boxing has made the decision to split from the man who has guided them to success on the world stage and he has done so in a controversial fashion.
Jose Valenzuela turned professional during 2018 and showed promise during the early stages of his career but back-to-back defeats to Edwin De Los Santos and Chris Colbert derailed his title challenge.
Still, a knockout of the year candidate in the Mexican’s rematch with Colbert thrust ‘Rayo’ back into the title picture and earlier this year he was able to spring the upset over WBA super-lightweight champion Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz.
Since the victory, rumours have suggested that Cruz will activate a rematch clause and enforce a second encounter with Valenzuela in an attempt to regain his 140lb throne, although official confirmation of Valenzuela’s next fight is not yet announced.
On social media, the 25-year-old southpaw declared that fight news for his first defence of the WBA crown was coming soon but also revealed that he had split from long-term trainer Jose Benavidez Sr., who is also the father and coach of fan-favourite light-heavyweight, David Benavidez.
Hey everyone, hope you’re all doing good. Just want to clear up some things I’ve been hearing lately about my next fight. But I’m no longer in a managing or training relationship with José Benavidez Sr. or his team. It’s time to move forward. Stay tuned for the announcement of my…
— Jose el Rayo Valenzuela (@rayoboxing) October 17, 2024
“Hey everyone, hope you’re all doing good. Just want to clear up some things I’ve been hearing lately about my next fight. But I’m no longer in a managing or training relationship with Jose Benavidez Sr. or his team. It’s time to move forward. Stay tuned for the announcement of my next fight – it’s coming soon!:”
However, Benavidez Sr. has since taken to Instagram to admit that this is the first he is hearing of his split from Valenzuela – saddened by the fact that the WBA title-holder told the world of social media before having a private conversation.
“I am just as confused as everyone else regarding Jose Valenzuela recent Instagram post of us not working together. I have not received any communication from Jose Valenzuela requesting to part ways.
“I have no problem with him going a different route or choosing different people to work with. I took Rayo in before he turned pro and treated him like a son. Me and my sons always looked out for him and wanted the best for him. We worked our asses off together as a team to get where he’s at today. Success didn’t happen overnight.
“I knew deep down inside he would become a world champion even before he turned pro. So many times, it seemed as if a title shot wasn’t going to come but I never gave up on him and the belt speaks for itself.
“With all the sacrifices I had to do not only on his end, but mine too dealing with the behind-the-scenes bulls**t, fighting for him to get the better fights, more money, bigger stages, etc.
“The list goes on. Jose Valenzuela could have at least been a man and talked to me first instead of sharing post on Instagram. I am disappointed with his level of professionalism and hope he can communicate professionally.”
The rematch between Valenzuela and Cruz had been expected to take place on the undercard of David Benavidez’s intriguing showdown with David Morrell (touted for January 25th in Las Vegas), although an assumably sour relationship between ‘Rayo’ and the Benavidez family may well have put an end to that possibility.
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