Maria’s our new World Champion
Maria’s our new World Champion
March 27, 2008
Section: Sport
MARIA Pittiglio is the Illawarra’s newest world champion after winning the WKA Featherweight World Championship earlier this month.
Pittiglio won a unanimous points decision over New Zealand’s Paula Davidson after five two-minute bouts in Melbourne.
Davidson came into the bout a credible contender for the vacant belt as she had recently fought World Muay Thai champion Michelle Preston.
The fight took place in Melbourne because it is illegal for women to fight in kickboxing bouts in NSW.
After an early feeling out period in the first round Pittiglio settled in and landed some straight punches and solid thigh kicks.
By the third round Pittiglio was unloading push and thigh kicks which were starting to take their toll. Davidson answered with some flurries and strong clinching.
Pittiglio switched from orthodox to southpaw after three rounds; the strategy worked as the Illawarra product landed some combinations that forced the referee to issue Davidson a standing eight count.
Pittiglio had built a healthy points lead by the fourth round but she and Davidson continued to mix it up to the end of the contest.
Trainer Chris Davey said he was hoping to negotiate a fight in Japan for Pittiglio in the future.