SANTILLAN TO DEFEND OPBF CROWN
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 04 Aug 2007
OPBF welterweight champion Rev 'Gentle Giant' Santillan will defend his title on October 8 against no. 14-ranked Koji Numata at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
Santillan (24-3-1, 17 KO's) is coming off a sixth-round dethronement of Taesei Marumoto last July 14, and is reportedly now preparing for his next fight in Japan.
The 23-year-old Numata (12-2-1, 7 KO's), fighting out of Tokyo, has been fighting at the Korakuen Hall his entire career, and is expected to be the favorite among fans come fight night.
Santillan is currently in Japan training under the guidance of his benefactor Toshiaki Kobayashi, said Rex 'Wakee' Salud, Santillan's manager.
"He has been offered big salary to work in Japan, but apparently he wants to continue fighting," said Salud, who is set to inaugurate his newly-refurbished gym in October.
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