Champ cites Jeo’s heart
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 26 Feb 2020
WBO superbantamweight champion Emanuel Navarrete applauded Filipino challenger Jeo Santisima’s courage in absorbing heavy punishment but never going down as the Mexican retained his title via an 11th round stoppage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas last Saturday night.
“It took me a little more time than expected,” said Navarrete, quoted by ESPN’s Dan Rafael. “I hurt him a couple of times during the fight but I got to give it to him. He’s a real Filipino warrior. He took a lot of punches but didn’t go down.” Santisima hailed Navarrete as “a great champion” and said, “I gave it my all to bring a world title back to the Philippines … I came up short but I can hold my head high.”
Santisima, 23, fought proudly. Referee Russell Mora stepped in at 2:20 of the 11th just as Santisima’s corner threw in the towel. To his credit, Santisima was never knocked down in the contest. Mora waved it off with Navarrete swarming over a helpless Santisima along the ropes.
After the fight, Santisima was brought to the hospital for a mandatory MRI as required by the Nevada State Athletic Commission of knockout losers. He was cleared of any brain injury but a finding of a left orbital emphysema was noted. A left lamina papyracea fracture was also noted. The lamina papyracea or the orbital lamina of the ethmoid bone is the principal component of the medial wall of the orbit.
ALA Boxing CEO Michael Aldeguer, who was at ringside, said “everything is normal except for his eye which has a minor fracture.” Aldeguer described Navarrete as “the complete package … tough, calculating, smart, effortless power and very composed.” He added, “I’ve never seen anything like him … no wonder people (in Las Vegas) are saying Navarrete could be the next big star from Mexico …he has been one of the most active world champions with all the big events he has been a part of.”
As for Santisima, Aldeguer said he’s got a bright future. “Jeo will learn a lot from this fight and will be a better fighter for sure,” he said. “He has nothing to be ashamed of. What made us so proud of him is that he showed a lot of heart and the extravagant atmosphere in Vegas didn’t bother him at all. A lot of people told me he could be a world champion someday.”
What caught Aldeguer’s attention in the fight was Navarrete’s size. He looked so much bigger than Santisima when the first bell rang even as both scaled 122 pounds on the dot at the weigh-in the day before. “For some reason, the past years, I’ve observed that the Mexican fighters are small at the weigh-in then the next day, they just look so big and different,” he said.
ALA Boxing head trainer Edito Villamor, who was in Santisima’s corner, said Navarrete could’ve bulked up at least to 140 pounds for the fight. “Sobrang lakas ni Navarrete,” said Villamor. “His jabs were powerful. Alam ni Jeo na dapat siya ang magdala ng laban at huwag siyang paatras. But hindi niya maiwasan yung jab ni Navarrete. Very experienced si Navarrete, 32 fights na siya at si Jeo, 22.”
Villamor said Santisima didn’t get tired but complained of pain in his left eye when Mora called it off. “Ayaw niyang matalo ng knockout at pilit niyang umabot ng 12 rounds sana,” he continued. “But noong marami na siyang tama sa 11th round, tinapon na namin ang tuwalya.”
ALA owner Tony Aldeguer said Santisima just refused to go down. “The only thing he showed was his big heart,” said Aldeguer. “He really wanted to finish the fight on his feet but the referee did right in stopping it. Jeo is still young and we hope he gets to fight more abroad.”
Aldeguer said WBO president Paco Valcarcel reportedly remarked that Santisima has the makings of a champion and could ascend the throne someday. “Those are very consoling words coming from Paco,” he said. Santisima will arrive in Manila tomorrow then proceed home to Cebu with his traveling party on a connecting flight.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Vazquez vs. Machuca’ at College Park Center in the University of Texas
Fri, 27 Feb 2026Ethan Matthew Gabriel tops Boscolympics 2026 Grade School chess meet
Fri, 27 Feb 2026Boxing Legend & Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Fri, 27 Feb 2026IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade - Arca outwits GM Pa Iniyan in Round 6 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 26 Feb 2026San Francisco Boxing Leaders Bring It Back: FIGHT NIGHT AT ROCCAPULCO
Thu, 26 Feb 2026Alyssa Mendoza, Salim Ellis-Bey and Kelvin Watts Secure Wins on Day Three of 2026 Strandja Boxing Tournament
Thu, 26 Feb 2026Herlan Gomez faces Dekang Wang for WBA Asia Superbamtam Title Today in Kunming, China
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 26 Feb 2026Queensberry Promotions to sue SELA and TKO?
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 26 Feb 2026IBA President Umar Kremlev promises prize money for boxers at LA 2028 if the IOC doesn’t change their policy towards athletes’ rewards
Thu, 26 Feb 2026Ruben Castillo, The uncrowned champion passes away
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 26 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Return of Ryan Garcia
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 25 Feb 2026“It’s moments a kid dreams off.” Sam Rennie returns for title challenge March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Wed, 25 Feb 2026‘It’s going to be a great fight and most importantly looking forward to the 10 pints together after it’ Billy Quinncroft challenges for Cruiserweight title March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Wed, 25 Feb 2026Magdalena Contreras Municipality and WBC start "Boxing for Peace" in Mexico
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 25 Feb 2026United States Captures Four More Wins on Day Two of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
Wed, 25 Feb 2026