On September 4 from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, rising lightweight Jose Valenzuela will face a serious test in former world champion Jezreel Corrales.

Their fight will be the Fox Sports pay-per-view opener to the heavyweight fight between Andy Ruiz and Luis Ortiz.

Valenzuela (12-0, 8 KOs), 23-years-old, trains as a stablemate of unbeaten two-time world champion David Benavidez. Back in April, Valenzuela looked sensational as he blasted out former world champion Francisco Vargas in the very first round.

Born in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, Valenzuela turned pro in 2018 and rode a five-bout knockout streak before earning his first 10-round decision in a victory over Deiner Berrio in September 2021.

He expects a serious test with Corrales, who won three in a row since heading up to 135-pounds.

“I’m extremely motivated for this fight,” said Valenzuela. “My opponent is an accomplished former champion and this is the kind of challenge that I’ve been asking for. I’m going to come into this fight extremely prepared to make another statement on September 4 and give the fans a great show like I always do.”

The 30-year-old Corrales (26-4, 10 KOs) has the number two ranking in the WBA. Fighting out of San Miguelito, Panama, Corrales won a super featherweight title in 2016 when he went to Japan and knocked out Takashi Uchiyama before winning a decision in their rematch. He also owns victories over current former champion Rene Alvarado and veteran contender Robinson Castellanos.

In March, Corrales recovered from a first round knockdown to outbox dangerous puncher Miguel Madueno over twelve rounds to secure a unanimous decision.

“Valenzuela is a good young fighter with some skills, but he doesn’t have the experience to handle what I’m bringing to the ring,” said Corrales.

“This is going to be like when the great Panamanian champion Roberto Duran took Davey Moore to school. Class is going to be in session on September 4 and no amount of studying is going to have him ready for what I’m planning to do.”