Velasco Stops Vargas, Retains South American Súper Lightweight title in Argentina

By Carlos Costa

Juan José “Pitbull” Velasco from Jujuy, Argentina, kept his South American super lightweight title by stopping compatriot La Rioja challenger Marcelo Ezequiel “Itaka” Vargas in a crushing 4th round TKO in the main event of the evening of boxing held December 26 at the Jorge Newbery Municipal Sports Center in Río Ceballos, Córdoba, a show that was the closure of the 2020 boxing calendar in Argentina.

It was the 1st defense of Velasco who looked dominant from the first bell, demonstrating a very effective battling style against the greater height and reach of his tough opponent Vargas who tried but could do little against him.

Velasco also displayed for fans the fighting experience that he has acquired in tough rumbles abroad and during his amateur years in AIBA boxing.

At the end of the 3rd chapter, “Pittbull” Velasco – who trains at the legendary Almagro Boxing Club in Ciudad de Buenos Aires – was clearly controlling Vargas who was barely surviving the vicious attacks.

But in the following episode, Vargas failed to stay on his feet, falling to the canvas after a barrage of furious blows thrown at him by the South American champion impacted him crushingly.

The damaged Vargas managed to get up from the mat, but, visibly hurt, he surrendered turning his back to the referee Ariel Álvarez as the third man was counting, prompting the end of the battle.

With this victory, the 33-year-old “Pitbull” Velasco improves his already good record to 22-2 with 14 KOs, getting warmed up for tougher super lightweight wars in 2021.

In the co-feature, the Chaco boxer based in Coronda, Santa Fé, Diego Ramírez (68.8 kilos), outclassed and defeated Guillermo Suárez (67.4 Kgs) in a split decision after 8 rounds of boxing.

It was a contest in which the winner Ramírez seemed the superior fighter. However, one judge scored for Suárez, which felt inaccurate. Fortunately, the other two judges were right on target.

The show, done with the support of the Sports and Recreation Directorate of Río Ceballos and Agustino Cueros, was aired live in Latin America on channel TyC Sports

More results for the event are as follows:

Daniel Combi (60,6 Kgs) decisioned in 6 rounds (majority) Nicolás Herrera (60.4 kilos).

Williams Herrera (65,6 kilos) outclassed in 6 (unanimous) Rodrigo Escasena (66.3 kilos).

Víctor Hugo Exner (78.2 kilos) scored KO in 4 over Maximiliano Fuentes (78.6 Kgs).

This photo, courtesy of Tello Box, shows the winner South American Super Lightweight Champion Juan José Velasco holding the belt that he retained with his stoppage win over Vargas.

Promoters for the entertaining evening of boxing in Argentina were Sampson Lewkowicz in association with Tello Box.

Carlos Costa can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.com and WhatsApp at +639184538152.