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Monday, April 17, 2006
Santillan leaves for Japan title fight
By Rommel C. Manlosa
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
ORIENTAL and Pacific Boxing Federation welterweight champion Rev “Gentle Giant” Santillan leaves today for Tokyo, Japan, where he will defend his title against an undefeated Japanese challenger on April 20 at the Korakuen.
For the first time, the 5-foot-11 Iloilo-native will fight against a taller challenger, Hiroshi Yamaguchi, who has an impressive win-loss-draw record of 14-0-1 peppered with 10 KO wins.
Despite the credentials of the Japanese challenger, the Filipino’s handlers are confident that Santillan, an original member of the Golden Boys of Cebu, will keep his belt.
“We have no doubt on Santillan’s game. He is hard punching and he has the heart. He will fight to win and he’s in tip-top condition,” said Cebuano boxing impresario Rex “Wakee” Salud.
Tailor made
Trainer Brix Flores, for his part, said Yamaguchi, who is half an inch taller, is a tailor made for Santillan.
“No doubt Santillan will keep the belt. Based on record, Yamaguchi is an excellent fighter. He has no defeat, has 10 knockout wins and has a very high knockout percentage,” said Flores. “But come to think of it, most of his opponents were Thai boxers.
“He only fought one good boxer, which was a draw. As for Rev, he has fought the best of them, including Kazuhiko Hidaka, who knocked him out in their first meeting.”
First KO loss
Hidaka handed Santillan his first knockout loss last year but the Filipino fighter came back to reclaim the belt during their rematch last December, when the Japanese champion was carried on a stretcher after being knocked out in the eighth round.
“However, I told Bong that he should not take this challenger for granted because he also has power punches. And besides Yamaguchi is quicker, so he needs to be careful at all times,” said Flores.
Santillan and Flores are set to leave at 7 a.m. today, while Salud will join them on Wednesday.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (April 17, 2006 issue)
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