ALEX Santisima Jr. guns for the vacant Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) super bantamweight belt against fellow unbeaten Arnel Buyoc in Manny Pacquiao’s “Blow by Blow” boxing series at the Filoil Eco Oil Center in San Juan City on July 29, 2023.
The 23-year-old Santisima Jr., the younger brother of two-time world title challenger Jeo Santisima, just turned pro in 2021. He has shown a lot of promise and won a huge split decision win over former regional champion Jess Rhey Waminal last year by split decision. He’s coming off a disqualification victory over Ramel Antatan in Feb. 11.
Like Santisima Jr., Buyoc is also undefeated. His latest win was a ninth round technical knockout of Marzon Cabilla last year. He’s coming back from a 15-month layoff.
Santisima Jr., who trains at the ZIP Boxing and Wellness Center in Cebu City, is 6-0 with two knockouts, while Buyoc is 8-0-1 with a knockout.
Also seeing action in the undercard is John May Acope. Acope is up against Dennis Endar in a six-round fight.
The 23-year-old Acope, who’s fighting out of the Pagara Boxing Gym in Liloan, is 4-1-1 with two knockouts, while Endar is 4-1-1 with three knockouts.
The main event features a Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Philippine Youth bantamweight championship bout between undefeated fighters Kenneth Llover (9-0, 6 KOs) and James Pagaling (8-0, 5 KOs). (EKA)