Bernardo Pinango of Venezuela won the World...

Bernardo Pinango of Venezuela won the World Boxing Assn. junior featherweight title with a split, 12-round decision over champion Julio Gervacio of the Dominican Republic at San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Pinango, 28, became the first Venezuelan fighter to win two titles. He is a former world bantamweight champion.

Pinango (22-2-3, with 14 knockouts) built his victory in the last three rounds when he battered Gervacio (15-1-3, 13 KOs), knocking down the 20-year-old Dominican in the 12th round.