Boxing In Mexico: Pitalua KO’s Santa Cruz In Monterrey

38 year old Colombian slugger Antonio Pitalua showed a stunning return to form last night at Arena Coliseo in Monterrey as the Mexico City based veteran knocked out former WBC interim champion Jose Armando Santa Cruz to win a WBC Lightweight title eliminator.

At 5 foot 10, Santa Cruz towered over Pituala but the native Los Angeles boxer failed to convert advantages in height and youth and was sent to the floor in the fourth round by Pitalua’s power punching techniques.

Santa Cruz tried to get back in the match but his success at that was short lived as he went crashing to the canvas again in the sixth frame and this time, he was counted out at 2:50 of the round.

Pitalua held regional titles in the late 1990’s before mounting an unsuccessful bid to unseat previously undefeated WBO Lightweight Champion Arturo Grigorian in Germany in November, 2000.

On the undercard, former WBO NABO featherweight titlist Eduardo Escobedo, 22-3 (15), won a ten rounder against ex-Mexican Super Bantam beltholder Miguel Roman, 25-4 (17), at featherweight.