By Jake Donovan
Pablo Munguia picked up the biggest win of his still promising career with a 12-round decision over old warhorse Antonio Pitalua on Friday evening at Foro Polanco in Mexico City.
Scores were 117-111, 116-112 and 116-113 in their Telemundo-televised main event.
The welterweight bout was a battle the entire way, though one where the outcome was honestly never in doubt. Pitalua did his best to jump out to a fast start, trying to draw Munguia into a slugfest. The younger and fresher Munguia was game for the cause, forcing the 42-year old Pitalua to fight at a faster-than-desired pace.
Pitalua's chances of a win rapidly diminished with each passing round. The middle rounds saw Munguia unload every punch in his arsenal, at one point having his veteran opponent in trouble while pinned along the ropes. Pitalua managed to avoid disaster, but found himself in a deep hole after eight rounds, according to the open scoring announcement.
The final four rounds saw an old warrior attempt to make one last stand, if only to save face. Pitalua vowed before the fight to retire if he were unable to secure victory. The Colombia-born knockout artist danced as hard as he could to make that happen, but Munguia refused to wilt.
The late rally merely narrowed the gap for Pitalua, but was forced to sit back and listen as Munguia (16-3, 11KO) was announced as the winner of his fifth straight bout. True to his word, Pitalua (53-7-1, 47KO) announced his retirement at fight's end, having only won two of his last six bouts after having lead a long and storied 20-year career.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com. Follow Jake on Twitter:
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