Valero Destroys Pitalua in 2

By Paul Upham: Not only did Edwin Valero win the vacant WBC lightweight boxing world title, but he made a stunning and dramatic entry into big time boxing in the USA with a brutal 2nd round knockout win over Antonio Pitalua, headlining the “Lightweight Lightning” promotion on Saturday night at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas, USA.

“I really demonstrated that there is a lot of power in both of my hands,” Valero said, after the win. “I said in the press conference, as soon as he made a mistake and I could land one good punch, he would go. But not only him, anybody. If I can connect the punch, it is going to be the same result.”

27 year-old Valero 25-0 (25) from Venezuela was in an aggressive southpaw stance ready to pounce at the beginning of round 1. Valero was jabbing to the body as he cornered 39 year-old Pitalua 46-4 (40), a Colombian who resides in Mexico City, Mexico. Valero’s snapping punches were on target without much coming back from Pitalua, who attempted to land right hands. Valero launched a left hand and Pitalua responded with a right hand to the neck to end the round.

In the opening exchange of round 2, Valero sensationally dropped Pitalua with a short right hook to the jaw, after missing with his left hand. Pitalua beat the count, but Valero was all over him and after taking three left hands on the ropes, the older boxer crashed to the floor for the second time.

Pitalua regained his feet on wobbly legs and Valero swarmed again with left and right hands. Pummelled into the corner, a hurt Pitalua went down again.

Upon the third knockdown, referee Laurence Cole waved off the match at the 0:49 minute mark.

It was an impressive live American television win for Valero, now a two-division world champion after previously holding the WBA junior lightweight belt. While Pitalua was 39 years of age, he came into the fight coming off an impressive knockout win over Jose Santa Cruz and fourteen straight stoppage wins.

Promoter Bob Arum was beaming standing alongside his newest world champion. Monster fights at lightweight can now be contemplated. Anyone interested in seeing Valero versus Juan Manuel Marquez?

“Marquez is a little better than any of the others,” said Valero. “If it was up to me, I would want that fight (Marquez), but it is up to Bob Arum and Golden Boy to make it happen.”

Another possible option is for Valero to move up in weight and face the winner of Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton later in 2009.

“I would be happy to fight one of those guys at 140lbs and then come back down to lightweight,” said Valero. “At 140lbs I can hit just as hard and I can be just as fast. I think I am much faster than those guys.”

Regardless of what fights are now in store for him, one thing for sure is that boxing has a new star in Edwin Valero.