Armando Santa Cruz of the United States will fight Antonio Pitalúa of Mexico tonight in Monterrey, México, in a WBC lightweight final elimination bout to determine the division’s mandatory challenger. The fight is being promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, and is the first fight card in a series titled “Next Boxing Generation” to be televised on HBO Plus.
The WBC has accepted to sanction a WBC lightweight interim championship due to the fact that WBC lightweight world champion Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines is committed to fight Oscar de la Hoya of the United States on December 6, and will not defend his title for a long time.
The winner of Santa Cruz vs. Pitalúa fight will face WBC number one ranked lightweight contender Edwin Valero of Venezuela in the interim championship fight by the end of the year.