PITPITUNGE WINS PXC BELT

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By Patrick Lujan

Crisanto Pitpitunge drops an uppercut on Justin Cruz and would later land a hard right that would knock out ‘The Shocker’ for the bantamweight title. (photo by Andre Gadia)

MANILA – For the second straight PXC event held in the Philippines, a Filipino fighter walked out of the cage with a title over a Guam fighter.

Saturday night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City, Baguio’s Crisanto Pitpitunge knocked out Justin ‘The Shocker’ Cruz with a straight right hand to the jaw within the first minute of the opening round to take Cruz’s bantamweight belt.

In February, Ali Cali knocked out Jesse ‘Spiderman’ Taitano for the flyweight title.

Cruz, who came into the weigh-ins on Friday under the weather and overweight at the initial weigh-ins, looked much better physically on fight night.

But it was Pitpitunge, coming into the fight 3-1 and winning his last three fights in the PXC, living up to his nickname ‘The Slugger’, rocking ‘The Shocker’ with a straight right to the jaw and dropping Cruz to the canvas out cold.

Pitpitunge celebrates as the new PXC bantamweight champion Saturday night. (photo by Andre Gadia)

The Baguio Wushu fighter came out with solid lefts that rattled Cruz at the onset of the fight. A slip by Pitpitunge almost gave Cruz a window for a choke hold, but the new champ quickly escaped any damage.

The finishing moments came when Cruz attempted a Superman punch, only to be caught by the flushing right by the new champion.

Jones wins easily in first round

Trevin Jones doesn’t throw a punch in an easy win over Guzman Pai-yas in a bantamweight fight. (photo by Andre Gadia)

Bantamweight contender Trevin Jones had an easy time with Filipino opponent Guzman Pia-yas, not even throwing a punch in his submission victory.

Pia-yas came out gunning with three straight leg kick attempts.

“When he came out with the first two leg kicks, I knew he was going to be open for a takedown,” Jones said after the fight, barely breaking a sweat. “I knew I had him from there.”

A quick takedown and back control led to a rear nake choke at the 1:49 mark of the opening round.

After the fight, Jones told the full arena crowd that he should be next up for the bantamweight belt – now held by Pitpitunge.

Trevin Jones easily took out his opponent and could be the next title contender for the bantamweight division. (photo by Ande Gadia)

Other Fights

Tristan Arenal def. Richie Redman (3rd rd, arm bar)

Troy Bantiag def. Joseph Mercardo (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Alvin Cacdac def. Rex Wa-O (1st rd, submission)

Eugene Toquero def. Victor Torre (1sd rd KO, doctor stoppage)

Rolando Gabriel Dy def. Alde Alonzo De Zosa (2nd rd, rear naked choke)

Macky Favis def. Glen Ranillo 30-27, 30-27, 30-27

Arex Montalban def. Jerry Legaspi (1st rd, KO)

Upcoming Fights

July 28 is a big night with two title fights as Baby Joe Taimanglo puts his featherweight belt on the line, while Ryan Bigler goes for the vacant welterweight title in PXC 32.

Then it’s back here in Manila for PXC 33 on Sept 1. Jon Tuck will try and take away the lightweight title from Harris Sarmiento, while flyweight Filipino champ will make his first title defense the same night.

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