MANILA, Philippines – Former bantamweight champion Crisanto Pitpitunge missed weight for his 3-round flyweight bout against New Zealander Kai Kara-France on the undercard of PXC 52 on Friday, March 18.
Pitpitunge was above the flyweight division’s allowable 126-pound non-title limit by two pounds at the official weigh-in on Thursday, March 17.
Meanwhile, Kara-France was on point with his weight to receive the clearance by checking in at 126 pounds.
The fight will still push through, but PXC matchmaker Ken San Nicolas confided to Rappler that Pitpitunge will pay an undisclosed penalty for not making weight as stipulated in their fight contract.
“The fight is happening. They missed weight, but they agreed on penalties associated with their contracts. It's still happening,” he said.
This is the second weigh-in mishap of Pitpitunge, who also failed to make weight when he faced then-PXC flyweight champion Alvin Cacdac in June 2015.
Pitpitunge barely met the contracted weight limit in his flyweight championship clash versus Jenel Lausa last January as he stepped on the scales at 124 pounds.
Pitpitunge (8-4) was hoping to make another strong case for a title shot after his split decision setback to Lausa, who walked away with the organization’s vacant flyweight championship.
On the other hand, Kara-France (11-5, 1 NC) has won his last 4 outings by way of stoppage since yielding to Filipino-American fighter Mark Striegl via first round submission in October 2014.
The 22-year-old stalwart from Auckland, New Zealand made a successful PXC debut this past December by disposing Josh Duenas in just 22 seconds.
PXC 52 is set to take place at the University of Guam Field House in Mangilao, Guam. – Rappler.com