When you are the one consoling your crying mother after being crushed under a car at the tender age of 3, it is a declaration that you are a fighter. WBA super lightweight champion Jose Valenzuela did exactly that when he suffered a near-death experience as a result of a hit-and-run. It took him a whole year to be able to walk properly after that. But once he started walking again, he never stopped.
Leave walking, the southpaw made his professional boxing debut at the age of 19. It was indeed a miracle and since then he has been climbing the ladder of the super lightweight division against all odds. But Valenzuela’s story isn’t just about boxing. It’s a tale of perseverance and the journey of a poor kid from Sinaloa, who defied all odds and cheated death itself.
And now in a few days, he is going to make a big splash on the undercard of Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, in a career-defining bout against the WBA No.5 ranked Gary Antuanne Russell. However, his personal story is even more intriguing. Let’s dive deeper into his background and the life that shaped this rising boxing talent.
Where is Jose Valenzuela from? Ethnicity and nationality
Born on 25 May 1999, in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, Jose Valenzuela is a Mexican boxer who currently resides in the US. Hailing from a place known for its rich cultural heritage, El Rayo’s roots stretch deep into Mexican soil. He carries that heritage with honor. The surname “Valenzuela” has Spanish origins, and is a diminutive of “Valencia,” translating to “Little Valencia,” suggesting a Spanish ancestry.
The horrible accident that the 25-year-old suffered forced his father to move to the United States. From age 4 to 10, the Valenzuela family lived in Arizona. As a kid with lots of unused energy, the Sinaola native got into street fights and soon became a huge problem. The problem persisted even when his family moved to Bellingham to be close to his relatives. As the problem got out of control, Jose Valenzuela’s father enrolled him in Azteca Boxing Club in Renton, Seattle, which changed his life.
He fell in love with the combat sport and even left soccer for good, which he wanted to pursue during his early days. It was a safe space for him to let all the rage out. At the age of 18, he moved to Oregon to train under Jose Benavidez Sr., where the boxing scene was far bigger and more competitive. After making his name known to the world, El Rayo has moved back to Renton, the place where his boxing journey started.
Is Jose Valenzuela a Christian?
Valenzuela has never talked about or expressed his religious faith on his own. Even while terming his survival from the accident as a miracle, he did not mention his religious faith. He rather gave credit to his strength and resilience to survive that horrible fate. However, even though he has not explicitly stated his religion, he has been clicked wearing ‘The Cross’ in a few of his Instagram posts.
Furthermore, given that almost 78% of the Mexican population identifies as Roman Catholic, there is a high chance that Jose Valenzuela also follows Christianity, most probably, Roman Catholicism, reflecting the country’s dominant faith.
Keep in mind that it is all just a speculation at the moment and there are no direct statements or any sources to confirm that. And does it really matter? Valenzuela has made it this far because of his unwavering resilience to defy every expectation, and a fighting spirit that is ready to face any storm head-on. On March 1, he will enter the squared circle with the same rage and will try to entertain the fans. After all, before a Christian or Mexican, he was a fighter who was born to entertain the fans.
What are your thoughts on Jose Valenzuela’s journey? Let us know your thoughts down below.
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