The upcoming second Zuffa Boxing event is set to take place this Sunday at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas. The headline bout features former junior welterweight champion Jose Valenzuela going head-to-head against Diego Torres.
Valenzuela began his career with an impressive 12-0 record but hit a setback in 2022 when he was knocked out in the third round by Edwin de los Santos. Following this, he lost a controversial decision to Chris Colbert but swiftly avenged that defeat by knocking Colbert out in the sixth round with a powerful right hand. You can watch Zuffa Boxing 02 live on Paramount+ at no additional cost with a subscription starting at $8.99 monthly or $89.99 annually, which also includes all UFC numbered events and Fight Nights.
Valenzuela’s victory over Colbert earned him a title shot against Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz for the WBA junior welterweight championship, where he won by a split decision, marking a major upset. However, he lost the title in a dominant performance by Gary Antuan Russell and has struggled to replicate his championship form in recent matches.
Now, Valenzuela aims to return to winning ways as he faces Torres, who has fought almost exclusively in Mexico. Torres’ only loss on U.S. soil came against Raymond Muratala in 2023, a defeat that now seems less damaging given Muratala is the reigning IBF lightweight champion. Since then, Torres has rebounded with four straight wins, including two stoppages.
The Zuffa Boxing 02 main card also features notable matchups including middleweights Serhii Bokhachuk versus Radjab Butaev and former light heavyweight champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk facing Radivoje Karadzic. Bokhachuk nearly defeated rising star Virgil Ortiz in 2024 by scoring two knockdowns before narrowly losing; although he was defeated by Brandon Adams in his last fight, he remains a formidable opponent. Butaev likewise boasts an impressive knockout ratio with 12 KOs in 16 wins.
Fight odds from DraftKings Sportsbook are as follows: Valenzuela is a heavy favorite against Torres at -800 with Torres at +500; Bokhachuk is favored at -175 over Butaev (+140); and Gvozdyk is favored at -550 against Karadzic (+380).
The event starts at 6 p.m. ET with the prelims, followed by the main card at 9 p.m. ET, exclusively streaming on Paramount+.
Prediction: Given Torres’s only defeat was to an elite U.S. opponent and Valenzuela’s superior resume, this fight parallels Torres’s previous tough challenge. Valenzuela is poised to capitalize on this opportunity and likely secure a strong win in his Zuffa debut. Designated pick: Jose Valenzuela, who has five wins by TKO.
Fan Take: This event is significant for fight fans as it showcases emerging talent on a major platform while bringing competitive matchups that could shake up the junior welterweight and middleweight divisions. Valenzuela’s redemption story and Torres’ international challenge add compelling narratives that could energize the sport and attract new viewers.
