SANTISIMA TARGETS OPBF TITLE
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 28 Jun 2017
CEBU CITY ? Still unrated in the world but already making a splash in the local boxing scene because of his ability to stop opponents inside the distance, rising Filipino super bantamweight knockout artist Jeo 'Santino' Santisima has a modest plan for his immediate future ? to win a regional title belt.
?I want to fight the Japanese OPBF champion,? Santisima told Philboxing Wednesday during a press luncheon at The Social at the Ayala Mall here ahead of ALA Promotions' Pinoy Pride 41 on July 8 at the IEC Convention Center where Santisima is chief support bout to Mark 'Magnifico' Magsayo who will defend his WBO International featherweight title against Daniel 'El Heneral' Diza of Nicaragua.
But before Santisima could act on his plan to fight for a regional title, Santisima needs to dispose his opponent on July 8, the undefeated Tanzanian Goodluck Mrema who has an immaculate record of 16 wins with 8 knockouts. Their fight has been scheduled for 10 rounds in the super bantamweight.
?I saw a video of his [Mrema's] fight. He's good. He can box and he looks strong. But I think I can handle him,? Santisima said.
Mrema, 22, stopped his last three opponents the last one was against compatriot Hamza Mchanjo (15-10-3) that gave him the Tanzania Professional Boxing Commission super bantamweight title. Mrema will be fighting for the first time outside his country against Santisima.
Santisima, 21, after losing two of his first four professional fights, won his last 11, all by knockout except his last fight against Indonesian Master Suro. ?I should have won by knockout in my last fight but it was my mistake to buy a slippery sock that hindered my movement,? Santisima said who knocked down Suro in the 6th round and won all rounds from all of the three judges' scorecards.
If he gets past Mrema, Santisima, who is rated No. 3 by the OPBF, said he wants to fight the OPBF champion Hidenori Otake of Japan. Otake (28-2-3, 12KOs) fought for the WBA world super bantamweight title against Sott Quigg of England on Nov. 22, 2014 in Liverpool but lost by unanimous decision.
Santisima, who tried his hand digging for gold as a kid in his native Aroroy in Masbate, a large gold-mining town 360 kilometers southeast of Manila, said his long term goal is to fight WBO champion Jessie Magdaleno. ?If he is still there I want to fight him. But if not, I want to fight any of the world champions in the future,? Santisima said.
Photo: Jeo Santisima (R) and Albert Pagara strike a pose during a press luncheon at The Social at the Ayala Center in Cebu Wednesday. Santisima and Pagara will see action on July 8 on ALA Promotions' Pinoy Pride 41 at the IEC Pavillon in Cebu City.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
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