MASAM SPORTS 2: ONCE AGAIN, JEO SANTISIMA IN THE U.S. AGAINST JOET GONZALEZ
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 06 Jan 2022
Jeo Santisima will have another chance to show his boxing worth in the American scene when he clashes with two time world title challenger Joet Gonzalez on February 5, 2022 in Fresno, California.
The Gonzalez-Santisima fight will be the co-feature of the 12-round junior welterweight match between former unified WBC and WBO title holder American Jose Ramirez and Puerto Rican former two-division titlist Jose “Sniper” Pedraza.
The 25-year-old Santisima has only fought in the United States once in his professional career. So he considers this fight as an excellent chance to shine in American soil.
Santisima's first encounter in the U.S. was when he challenged then World Boxing Organization (WBO) super bantamweight champion Emanuel Navarrete on February 22, 2020.
Santisima fought bravely but lost via a technical knockout to Navarrete in the 11th round. It was his first knockout loss. The fight was on the Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury II undercard at the MGM Grand Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada.
“This is my big chance to move up in my career,” Santisima was quoted by SunStar Cebu. "I have learned a lot from that fight. I have gained a lot of experience from fighting Navarrete. This time, I’ll be in the U.S. earlier. I’ll be there for a month,” he said.
Santisima flies to the United States accompanied by his trainer Michael Domingo, his long time trainer even during his ALA Gym days. He will resume his preparations in the U.S. to hone up his skills ready for the Joet Gonzalez tussle.
After he lost to Navarrete, Santisima grabbed successive stoppage victories over Marjon Piencenaves of Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte by KO2 and Allan Alberca of Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte by TKO1.
Meanwhile, Gonzalez, age 28 years, has lost two of his last three fights. He suffered his first career loss after a one-sided unanimous decision defeat to fast-rising American boxing hero 2016 Rio Olympic silver medalist Shakur Stevenson in a WBO featherweight bout in October 26, 2019.
He challenged the same WBO title and again lost a lopsided unanimous decision to Navarrete last October 15, 2021.
“He’s a fighter,” said Santisima. Gonzalez is currently ranked No. 5 by the WBO and No. 10 by the WBC in the featherweight division.
Santisima is rated No. 8 by the WBO and could rise up in rankings if he beats Gonzalez. Jeo has a professional record of 21-3 with 18 KOs, while Gonzalez is 24-2 with 14 KOs.
“My last three fights have been on Top Rank cards, and they’ve always treated me with respect. I can’t wait for my official debut under the Top Rank banner,” Gonzalez was quoted by RingTV.
"Jeo is a tough Filipino warrior, and this is a great opportunity to prove I belong in the featherweight title conversation. I want another title shot, and it all starts with an impressive showing in Fresno,” added Gonzalez.
Gonzalez, from Glendora, California, is consisted as one of the top featherweight fighters. "Joet Gonzalez is a fighter of tremendous character and one of the best featherweights in the world. When he became available, it was a no-brainer,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum.
His title fight with Navarrete was considered as a Fight of the Year contender. He defeated Miguel Marriaga of Colombia by unanimous decision on September 12, 2020.
Santisima from Aroroy, Masbate, lost two of his first four professional fights then won 17 successive matches before losing to Navarrete for the WBO super bantamweight world title.
Hoping for a victory by Santisima against Gonzalez that would propel him to another crack at the world championship.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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