Pitpitunge defends title in 5 months

AT LEAST five months from now, Pacific Extreme Combat bantamweight champion Crisanto Pitpitunge’s next title defense will be known, according to Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao.

After a brief courtesy call Friday at Camp Bado Dangwa, Sangiao said his ward will have to finish his training inside the Philippine National Police (PNP) Cordillera Administrative Region Training School in Teachers Camp.

“After his training inside the PNP, we will be gunning for his next title defense,” said Sangiao.

Another Guam fighter, Trevin Jones of Underworld Extreme Gym based in Guam, is expected to challenge Pitpitunge in his next first title defense, said Sangiao.

Jones has an impressive record of three wins and one loss in his career, two of them coming by way of stoppage via choke while his only loss was dealt by no less than Cruz, who lost to Pitpitunge Saturday evening at the Ynares Sports Complex in the PXC 31 event.

Pitpitunge’s win against Justin Cruz improved his record to four victories, giving Team Lakay another belt in its fold and with one loss dealt during his mixed martial arts debut against top featherweight prospect and Fil-American Mark Striegl.

Sangiao said since that loss against Streigl, Pitpitunge’s confidence level has shoot up, racking up four straight victories in the PXC, with only one fight coming the distance, three of which, including that of Cruz, came in an early stoppage.

Team Lakay is currently gearing up welterweight, lightweight, and flyweight champion Eduard Folayang, Honorio Banario, and Kevin Belingon for their upcoming bout in the One Fighting Championship event on August 31 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“This is also to thank Police Chief Superintendent Benjamin Magalong, Colonel Adnol, Police Superintendent Mally Castillo Cula and the training staff of CARTS and Mr. Tony Candelaria,” added Sangiao after their courtesy call.