Carbajal Beats DeLuca to Win First Pro Title

Former Olympic silver medalist Michael Carbajal scored a unanimous 12-round decision over Tony DeLuca Sunday in Phoenix to win the North American Boxing Federation junior-flyweight title

Carbajal (12-0) took control early in the fight, weakened slightly in the middle but dominated the final three rounds to earn his first pro championship before a hometown crowd at the Phoenix Civic Plaza and a national television audience.

Carbajal won easily on all three judges’ cards. Aaron Kizer scored the fight 118-110, Chuck Giampa had it 117-111 and Vince Delgado saw it 120-108.

DeLuca (17-3-3) was making the second defense of the title he won Aug. 17 in San Diego with a 12-round split decision over Willy Salazar.

Promoter Bob Arum said Carbajal will have a non-title fight April 1 in Lake Tahoe, Nev., and then face champion Muangshi Kittikasem of Thailand for the International Boxing Federation junior-flyweight championship May 13 in either Las Vegas or Atlantic City, N.J.