VALERO CAPTURES WBC LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE - NOW 25-0 (25)

(From Sportinglife.com)
==========================
(And Jesus Chavez Retires)

Venezuelan Edwin Valero beat Antonio Pitalua in only the second round to capture the vacant WBC lightweight belt in Austin, Texas, on Saturday.

Colombian-born Mexico resident Pitalua put in a career best performance when knocking out Jose Armando Santa Cruz last year but he was on the receiving end against Valero.

Valero could now be a real threat to Juan Manuel Marquez after improving to a career performance of 25-0, all won by knockout.

Elsewhere on the 'Lightweight Lightning' bill, Mexican-born Austin resident Jesus Chavez lost to Australian Michael Katsidis in round seven.

Chavez was cut from a shoulder bump in the seventh, and after Katsidis landed some severe blows the Mexican conceded as he trudged to his corner after the bell.

Carlos Hernandez pushed Vicente Escobedo to the limit for 10 rounds but fell short in the end, the judges scoring the bout 96-91, 94-93, 95-91 in Escobedo's favour.

In the fourth fight on the card, Julio Diaz suffered the fourth stoppage of his career after losing to 30-year old Rolando Reyes.