Edwin De Los Santos believes he has already proven everything he needed to against Jose Valenzuela and expects the rematch to end no differently.
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The Dominican contender will face Valenzuela again on June 28 at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas after stopping him in the third round of their first meeting two years ago. While many fans welcomed the rematch, De Los Santos sees little reason for it.
“I mean, to be honest, this rematch was kind of unnecessary since you saw the result that happened the first fight,” De Los Santos said. Zuffa Boxing. “Whether it’s going to be by decision or by knockout, I mean, it’s going to be the same result.”
Valenzuela argued that he is much better prepared this time after taking the first fight on short notice. De Los Santos rejected this explanation and pointed out that he also worked with limited preparation.
“He says he took the fight on short notice, but the person who actually got the short notice was myself with only two weeks’ notice, and you saw what happened both ways,” De Los Santos said.
The 25-year-old also reflected on the disappointment of his canceled fight with Keyshawn Davis after Davis failed to make weight for their scheduled world title bout.
“It’s very unfortunate that Keyshawn didn’t make weight for a world title, but things happen for a reason. I’m very happy and very grateful to be here with Zuffa Boxing and get my career going.”
De Los Santos also bounced back from his narrow decision loss to Shakur Stevenson in November 2023, a feat that many observers considered the toughest test of Stevenson’s career.
In response to Stevenson’s explanation that he was fighting with an injured hand, De Los Santos questioned why an immediate rematch never materialized.
“If Shakur had a hurt hand or if he was injured, why didn’t he ask for an immediate rematch? I basically matched his speed, matched his power, matched his abilities, and we should have come back with a rematch.”
Despite the need for a second fight with Valenzuela, De Los Santos said his focus remains unchanged.
“Nothing against Jose Valenzuela. It’s going to be an absolute spectacle. The fans are looking for this rematch, but I’m here to fight. I’m here to win, and we’re going to show the world that Edwin De Los Santos is the real deal.”
Last updated on 2026/06/26 at 20:01
