He defeated Leo Cruz to win the title by twelfth round knockout,[1] then lost it to Victor Callejas by a knockout in round eight[2] at Mario Morales coliseum, then known as Mets Pavilion, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.
In a rematch with Callejas, held in November 1985 in Rimini, Italy, however, he lost by a sixth round knockout.
[3] Ahead on the scorecards, Stecca received a punch that lifted him off the floor, sending him to the air before he landed on his knees.
He got up, but his corner soon stopped the fight, and the punch made the highlights of many sports news shows.
Stecca was sentenced on 2 June 2015 to eight years in jail for the attempted murder of business partner Roberta Cester who was allegedly stabbed by the former world champion boxer during a 2013 gym confrontation.