Second Overtime: Masbateños in California honor Santisima
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 26 Feb 2020
CHICAGO -- "Victory has many fathers, defeat is an orphan," so says an old adage.
Just don't tell that to Masbateños living in California.
Even after his devastating 11th round TKO loss against the heavy-handed Mexican champion Emanuel Navarrete at the MGM Grand Garden Arena last Sunday, Jeo "Santino" Santisima was still warmly embraced by province mates who appreciated the valiant effort in Las Vegas.
There are fair weather fans but apparently, Masbateños cling to each other through good times and bad.
The party was hosted by Masbate governor Antonio "Tony" Kho and his wife Olga Kho, who represents the second district of Masbate in congress. They were joined by Masbateños California in Sylmar.
The event, where food and drinks flowed like a river, was a welcome respite for Santisima whose record fell to 19-3 (16 KOs). The failed title challenge was his first foray in the United States and snapped an impressive 17-fight winning streak.
Per Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) records, Santisima earned $25,000 for his hard work and a very impressed Sean Gibbons, president of Manny Pacquiao Promotions, said Jeo is "always welcome at a Top Rank show."
Santisima told me that he plans to spend most of his bounty to build a nice house for his parents and his five siblings back in their hometown of Aroroy.
Before heading to Los Angeles, he spent a day in Vegas and shopped shoes and other "pasalubong" for his family at the Premium Outlets.
Santisima, along with ALA coach Edito Villamor and trainer Michael Domingo, will fly back to the Philippines this morning. Jeo will rest for a week before resuming training, Villamor told PhilBoxing.
Losing a championship fight in Las Vegas was one of the darkest days in Jeo's professional life. But lucky for him, it's always sunny is California.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
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