Boxing In Mexico: Weekend Results

ByAlejandro Tostado

Lots of action south of the border this weekend and we start with a big show at Palacios de los Desportes in Mexico City where Edgar Sosa retained his WBC Light Flyweight title for the fifth time by stopping southpaw Takashi Kunishige in the eighth round on Saturday night.

Kunishige, 18-3-1 (2), came into the contest not having lost in over five years and drew with Japanese champion Munetsugu Kayo last time out but facing the WBC Champion proved to be a step too far for the 32 year old from Osaka.

It’s a testament to the Japanese visitor’s toughness that he lasted as long as he did against the superior skilled Mexico City man but his run came to an end when Sosa forced a referee stoppage at 1:39 of the eighth frame after dealing out much punishment.

On the undercard, NABF Flyweight titlist Adrian Hernandez, 13-0-1 (11), was held to a fifth round technical draw by challenger Eric Ortiz, 28-8-2 (18), a former WBC Light Flyweight Champion.

OPBF Light Flyweight strapholder and Filipino southpaw Juanito Rubillar, 46-10-7 (22), won a WBC title eliminator against Omar Nino Romero, 25-3-1 (11), via a 12 round split decision.

Welterweight Antonio Pitalua, 43-3 (37), racked up his eleventh straight win by knocking out Jose Arelis Lopez, 7-5-2 (5), in the fourth and veteran Mia St. John, 44-9-2 (18), annexed the vacant WBC International Female Welterweight title by posting a majority decision over Amy Yuratovac, 6-2 (6), after eight rounds.

At Estadio Arturo C. Nahl in La Paz, Mexican Minimumweight Champ Raul Garcia, 23-1 (15), upset big punching Filipino southpaw Florante Condes, 22-4-1 (20), to win the IBF crown.

On Friday, Jesus Jimenez, 19-5 (12), stopped Jonathan Perez, 13-4 (10), in the sixth to capture the vacant WBC Latino Super Flyweight belt at Salon Marbet Plus in Cuidad Nezahualcoyotl.