Fight won’t go distance, says Aldeguer
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 23 Feb 2020
ALA Boxing CEO Michael Aldeguer expects a knockout ending in the WBO superbantamweight title fight between defending champion Emanuel Navarrete of Mexico and Filipino challenger Jeo Santisima in the undercard of the main event featuring heavyweights Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas this morning (Manila time).
“The fight will end in a knockout as both are punchers,” said Aldeguer who is in Las Vegas to witness the proceedings. “If not, then it should be an entertaining fight. Jeo is a come forward type of fighter but he knows he can’t do that to Navarrete. Hopefully, he doesn’t get awed by the Vegas atmosphere.”
Navarrete and Santisima both tipped the scales at the superbantamweight limit of 122 pounds at the weigh-in last Friday afternoon (yesterday morning, Manila time). Fans packed the MGM venue for the weigh-in, anticipating an eruption when Wilder and Fury checked in. But the Nevada State Athletic Commission averted the confrontation by deciding against a face-off “for fear of possible hostilities”
Aldeguer said Santisima was “calm” during the weigh-in. “He made weight exactly at 122, same as Navarrete,” said Aldeguer. “Big crowd for the weigh-in. If Jeo doesn’t back down, it’ll be a helluva of a fight as both fighters like to come in. Just hoping Jeo won’t be in awe with the lights, cameras, crowd and just being in a spectacular atmosphere which he has not experienced yet.”
Navarrete and Santisima pose during Friday's weighin in Las Vegas.
It’s Santisima’s first fight overseas and his chance of a lifetime comes with a Mexican hero on the opposite corner. Navarrete, 25, is heavily favored to post his fifth successful title defense but Santisima, 23, isn’t fazed by the odds. The Mexican enjoys a 4 1/2 inch advantage in reach and is an inch taller at 5-7. Santisima’s record is 19-2, with 16 KOs, while Navarrete boasts a 30-1 slate, with 26 KOs.
Los Angeles-based Dr. Ed de la Vega will join Santisima’s corner as cutman. Others in the corner will be ALA head trainer Edito Villamor, chief second Michael Domingo and strength/conditioning coach Nick Curson.
De la Vega said Navarrete will pay a hefty price if he takes Santisima lightly. “I think it will be a tough fight for Santisima but if Navarrete looks past him, he may end up staring at the lights with his back on the canvas,” said De la Vega. “Team Santisima is in high spirits. They’re realistic as well and they know the task ahead is not lined by a bed of roses. But Santisima is promising he will give his all to win the fight. Santisima’s inspiration is Manny Pacquiao’s upset win over Lehlo Ledwaba in the same Vegas venue in 2001.”
De la Vega, a dentist, produced a new mouthguard in orange and gold for Santisima. “He requested for a mouthguard with his favorite colors,” said De la Vega. “That’s exactly what we did for him. It took us all of three hours to get it done. He came to my office to pick up the mouthguard last Saturday. Edito told me it’s a long-established tradition for ALA boxers to get the ‘Mouthguard for Champions’ when they fight in the US. There’s no guarantee to win using the mouthguard but there’s a guarantee the boxer will be well protected.”
De la Vega said Santisima has everything to gain and nothing to lose. “Navarrete and Santisima are staking their lives to entertain the fans much like the main event fighters,” he said. “The risk they’re taking is the same. Navarrete has blown away all his previous challengers and Santisima is not a known name in Vegas, at least not yet. Many predict he will go the same way, not considering that one should never underestimate a hungry young lion like Santisima.”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 June 2025: Zurdo Outpoints Dorticos, Keeps WBA/WBO Cruiser Titles; Mbilli Stops Sulecki in 1; Wins by Kuroki, Wilder and Jake Paul
By Eric Armit, Tue, 01 Jul 2025IIEE Titans secured Finals in BPBL, IIEE Chessmasters retain on top level in Bundesliga
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 01 Jul 2025MARIO BARRIOS LAS VEGAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
Tue, 01 Jul 2025CATTERALL AND EUBANK LAY THEIR 'CARDS ON THE TABLE' AHEAD OF MANCHESTER SHOWDOWN
Tue, 01 Jul 2025Dumadag holds chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 01 Jul 2025Manny Pacquiao's Case for the Greatest of All Time
By Ace Freeman, Mon, 30 Jun 2025DavNor Adventure Race 2025 set July 2
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 30 Jun 2025Gumila rules Antipolo rapid chess tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 30 Jun 2025FULL CIRCLE AT WILD CARD: Jhay Otamias’ Tribute to a Fighter and a Fanbase
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Mon, 30 Jun 2025Vince Paras Wins by 4th Round KO Over Sarawut Thawornkham to Capture the IBF Pan Pacific Super Flyweight Title
Mon, 30 Jun 2025Team USA's Quest for Gold Set in Stone at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Mon, 30 Jun 2025SBA SEASON 2 DRAFT UNVEILS RISING STARS AND STRATEGIC MOVES AS TEAMS COMPLETE THEIR ROSTERS
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 30 Jun 2025Filipino Elwin Retanal wins Saudi rapid chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 30 Jun 2025Jake Paul Earns Boxing Legitimacy with Dominant Decision Over Julio Cesar Chávez Jr.
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 29 Jun 2025Zurdo Ramirez Defends Cruiserweight Crowns with Unanimous Decision Over Dorticos
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 29 Jun 2025