Fireworks, relentless action, and aggression — it’s a Mexican slugfest. That’s the best way to sum up Isaac Cruz and Jose Valenzuela‘s upcoming fight. You see either of them and you see the modern generation of Mexican fighting tradition. It’s always about pride, honor, and heart. But this time, it’s also about the WBA super lightweight strap. So, who will come on top amid a flurry of punches? Will the champion defend his crown and cement his position at the top of the 140-pound division? Or will the challenger topple him and start his new reign, rubbing shoulders with other champions, such as Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez?

The fans will find out who will emerge as the WBA champion when the two clash this Saturday at the BMO Stadium and put on a show for them. The supporting act to the Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov headliner has all the ingredients to keep you hooked. Before both fighters smoke the leather, let’s have a look at how they stack up.

Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz vs. Jose Valenzuela: tale of tape

Cruz has won over the crowd with his all-action approach. There is never a dull moment whenever the Mexican fighter is inside the ring. At 26, his aggression has also helped him rack up a splendid record of 26-2-1 with 18 KOs. You can also look at Cruz’s KO ratio of 69.23% and realize that he has a knack for knockouts. What has aided his rapid surge is his forceful style and his imposing presence. However, the Mexico City native finds himself at a size disadvantage more often than not with his stature of 5’4″ and reach of 63″ (160 cm). But what he lacks in size, he makes up for in power and tenacity.

You can make a similar assessment about Valenzuela. At 25, he is slightly younger and used to be regarded as the hottest lightweight prospect a year ago. The Los Mochis native’s stocks took a hit when he amassed successive defeats in the last two years. But Valenzuela bounced back strongly and after exacting his revenge against Chris Colbert and winning the title eliminator, his record reads 13-2 with 9 KOs, along with a daunting 69.23% KO ratio. His speed, power, and more importantly, ring IQ have worked for him.

In addition, the Washington resident has the size and reach advantage, as he carries a towering presence and stands tall at 5’10” (1.78 m) with a reach of 70″ (178 cm). These dimensions have allowed him to cut the distance or stay at bay and dictate the fight’s pace. However, he needs to adjust to the vagaries of the super lightweight division, as he is stepping up to 140 for the first time. Will Valenzuela’s unorthodox southpaw style push his title ambitions? Or will the edge in skills and experience help Cruz defend his title?

Prediction: X factor, and where will the fight be won?

What moves the needle for Valenzuela? Beyond his power and aggression, it’s his fighting IQ. He is good on his toes and uses his dimensions, especially jabs, effectively. The Colbert rematch proved the same. His caliber was on display when took on former world champion Francisco Vargas and his left hooks flatlined him. ‘Rayo’ also has effective ring generalship, which can neutralize Cruz’s power and pressure and negate his inside fighting. You throw into his X factor, his long levers, and his size advantage, which could keep Cruz at a distance, land some body shots, and shut him down completely.

So, how does Cruz fare? The WBA champion can land effective punches throughout the fight. He has what it takes to fight a tall, lanky southpaw and beat him. The fans still remember his fight with Giovanni Cabrera, the closest bout of his career, but he slowly broke him down. He has the experience to do the same to Valenzuela, too. He has the credentials, too. What’s more? He is the only man in recent memory to take the fight with Gervonta Davis to distance. The super lightweight champion has his bases covered to defend his throne. But his aggression does leave him vulnerable to counters and power punches. Whether his all-out attitude adds another name to his list of victims or will cause his downfall is something the fans will witness this weekend.

What do you make of this coming fight between Isaac Cruz and Jose Valenzuela? Who do you think will leave as victor on August 3? Let us know in the comments below.