Photo: Esther Lin/Showtime / Courtesy
José “Rayo” Valenzuela, a fighter born in Mexico and based in the United States, sent Chris Colbert to the canvas before the first 30 seconds of his David Benavidez vs. Caleb Plant lightweight fight inside the show In Las Vegas.
“Primetime” Colbert got back up, survived that rough start and put up a good fight over the next nine rounds, but was clearly dominated by a “Rayo” Valenzuela who landed the best shots. However, after the scheduled 10 rounds, the three judges outraged the public at the MGM Grand Arena by handing Colbert the winner by unanimous decision.
The booing did not stop after the identical 95-94 ballots by judges Glenn Feldman, Lisa Giampa and Don Trella were announced against the Mexican.
Valenzuela (12-2) rocked Colbert (17-1) after he missed a punch early in the fight and connected with his left foot directly to the jaw to drop him.
The reaction of the 26-year-old American was good, he threw a lot of punches and had good moments, although far from the forcefulness of his rival. The decision in his favor leaves many doubts in the air about the cleanliness -or the knowledge- of the aforementioned judges.
The decision of the judges was so questionable that after the fight Valenzuela asked Showtime reporter Jim Gray who he thought had won the fight.. Gray told him that he was the one asking the questions. But when the interview ended, the legendary reporter told the Mexican: “Regarding your question, I think it was a terrible decision.”
Colbert, in a final exchange with a stunned Valenzuela, told him he was “a sore loser,” which made the boos from the crowd in the arena go on even longer.