After Controversial Decision Loss, Bantamweight Alejandro Santiago Wants Gary Antonio Russell Rematch as World Title Eliminator
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 02 Dec 2021
Alejandro Santiago.
Accustomed to boxing’s ups and downs, Mexican bantamweight contender Alejandro “Peque” Santiago says he’s not going to let his nationally televised and highly controversial majority-decision loss to Gary Antonio Russell last Saturday night (November 27) slow him down.
With the Showtime cameras rolling at Park MGM’s Dolby Live in Las Vegas, Santiago (24-3-5, 13 KOs) and Russell fought a grueling all-out war for ten rounds with many feeling Santiago’s pressuring style had outshined the undefeated Russell’s speed after 10 intense rounds.
However, once again it was not to be for the hard-luck Santiago, as Russell was given the nod via a questionable majority-decision. Judges Steve Morrow and Benoit Roussel scored Russell a 96-94 winner, while Judge Lisa Giampa scored the contest a draw at 95-95.
The “victim” of several controversial draws against top fighters in high-profile fights, including one particularly dubious draw against IBF Super Flyweight Champion Jerwin Ancajas in 2018, 25-year-old Santiago, from Tijuana, Baja California, says he’s not shocked or disheartened by the loss to Russell.
“I wasn’t shocked because I have been here before,” explained Santiago, post-fight. “My team had warned me that the closer rounds will go to Russell because he is the house fighter. When my promoter Paco Damian calls me for an opportunity like this, I never say no. I embrace the opportunity and I don’t care if I have to go and fight my opponents in their backyard. I mean, look at my record I have five draws, I believe I won all those fights including the Jerwin Ancajas world title fight.”
In fact, the realistic Santiago surprisingly blames himself for the setback.
“I don’t like to use the term robbed,” said Santiago. “In my opinion, I thought I won 6 of the 10 rounds. It was a very close fight and there is no one here to blame but me. I blame myself because it took me the first couple of rounds to make adjustments and follow our game plan.”
Despite the disappointment, Santiago says his strong performance against Russell, a celebrated 2016 U.S. Olympian, negates any career damage he may suffer.
“I would love the opportunity to fight Russell again, I think it was a great fight and I’m sure many people will love to watch us do it again. And this time, I would like it to be for a title eliminator that will give the winner the opportunity to fight for a world title. But if Russell doesn’t want another war that I will bring, we move on. My career has been defined by people underestimating me and paying the price for their mistake. I’ll be back.”
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Junior, Youth and Elite Divisions Awarded on Final Day of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Mon, 15 Dec 2025Jean Henri Lhuillier Applauds Cebuana Lhuillier Ambassadors for Bronze Finish at SEA Games 2025
Mon, 15 Dec 2025NOEL MIKAELIAN DETHRONES BADOU JACK TO BECOME THE NEW WBC CRUISERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
Sun, 14 Dec 2025FM Alekhine Nouri tops Kamatyas chessfest
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 14 Dec 2025Dante Kirkman Dominates DePriest Johnson in Unanimous Victory at Fight Club OC
Sun, 14 Dec 2025Bantam and Intermediate Divisions Crowned on Day Five of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Sun, 14 Dec 2025Murat Gassiev Brutally Knocks Out Kubrat Pulev in Dubai
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 13 Dec 2025United States Air Force Paralegals: Law, Order, and Excellence
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 13 Dec 2025OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR PACHECO VS SADJO IN STOCKTON
Sat, 13 Dec 2025OFFICIAL WEIGHTS FROM TODAY'S CHM: 2 REMATCH SEASON CEREMONIAL WEIGH-INS IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
Sat, 13 Dec 2025Donaire to fight Tsutsumi on December 17 in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Nesthy faces Indon legend
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Bob Santos Joins Broadcast Team for Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During WBA’s 104th Annual Convention
Sat, 13 Dec 2025Championship Bouts Set for the Bantam and Intermediate Division
Sat, 13 Dec 2025SEAG Triathlon, aquathlon, duathlon in Rayong
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 13 Dec 2025