TURIN, Italy -- Bernardo Pinango of Venezuela successfully defended his World Boxing Association bantamweight title Saturday night, stopping Italian challenger Ciro De Leva with one second left in the 10th round.
The 26-year-old Pinango ran his career record to 20-3-1 as he pounded the compact Italian without mercy before the bout was stopped at 2:59 of the 10th round.
The victory was Pinango's first defense of the WBA bantamweight crown he won from Gaby Canizales on points last June in the New Jersey.
The South American picked $65,000 with the triumph and De Leva $35,000.
Pinango, was never in serious trouble from the European bantamweight champion. The stylish, technical Venezuelan calculated his every punch, punishing De Leva throughout.
In the 10th round, Pinango worked De Leva into a corner and battered him with a series of lefts and powerhouse rights. The challenger, wincing in pain, staggered to the center of the ring. Pinango attacked again, catching De Leva with two consecutive lefts to the head -- one as the Italian was turning away -- to finally put an end to the lop-sided encounter.
A glassy-eyed De Leva, sweat pouring off his head, remained on his feet as South African referee Stanley Christodourou ended the bout.
Pinango's victory clears the way for a Nov. 22 defense in South Africa against challenger Simon Skosana.
De Leva, who began his pro career in 1980 and successfully defended his European crown seven times, drops to 23-3-1. Both men entered the ring at 117 pounds.
