Santiago Stops "Little Spider" in Panama, Retains WBO Latino 108 Belt
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 16 Apr 2023
WBO world-ranked Puerto Rican René “El Chulo” Santiago (11-3, 8 KOs) successfully defended his WBO Latino Light Flyweight strap by knocking out in 9 chapters Panama's Carlos “Arañita” (Little Spider) Ortega (15-7-3, 6 KO's) in the main event of the exciting show today in Panama City, Panama.
Throughout the rough encounter, "Little Spider" Ortega was forced to absorb a huge amount of leather as Santiago kept on throwing-in damaging impacts, visibly undermining the stamina of the big-hearted 108-pound fighter from Panama.
Little Spider is helped to his corner by Referee Ernesto Arce.
In round 9, Ortega's corner threw in the towel, prompting third man Ernesto Arce to stop the uneven battle to spare the beaten warrior from further damage. Official time was 1:28 minutes of frame 9.
The victorious Rene Santiago, who is currently the WBO #11 fighter, might very likely improve his standing in the world ranking.
At the same time, the courageous "Little Spider" Ortega, ranked as WBO # 5, will most likely be taken out of the Light Flyweight world-rankings.
FILIPINOS IN THE WBO LIGHT FLYWEIGHT WORLD RANKINGS
Three Filipinos are currently in the WBO World-rankings.
The highest Pinoy in the important list is Regie Suganob (13-0, 4 KO's) of Bohol as WBO #4 light flyweight.
The Puerto Rico-headquartered organization has also ranked Cebuano Christian "The Bomb" Araneta (23-2, 18 KO's) as WBO #9, and Manileño southpaw Arvin "Hurricane" Magramo (17-1-1, 11 KO's) is WBO #12.
Promising Filipinos in the WBO light flyweight world ranking. From L to R. Regie Suganob, Christian Araneta and Arvin Magramo. Who of them has more chances to become Light Flyweight Champ.
The reigning WBO Light Flyweight World Champion, Jonathan "Bomba" Gonzalez (27-3-1, 14 KO's) of Puerto Rico, is currently on sick leave.
"Bomba" Gonzalez was scheduled to battle Japanese star unified WBC/WBA 108 world champ Kenshiro Teraji (21-1, 13 KO's) in a unification clash last week in Japan. That did not happen.
Unfortunately, the Puerto Rican champ had to pull out due to sickness. Jonathan was found to be suffering from mycoplasma pneumonia.
Kenshiro stopped Bomba's replacement Anthony Olascuaga in nine frames.
It is possible that Kenshiro vs Bomba could happen in the future, although that, of course, is not 100% sure, plus, Bomba first has to make a full recovery.
The entertaining show in boxing-loving Panama, was an exciting promotion of reknown Cuban-American promoter Felix "Tuto" Zabala Jr., live on ESPN.
The author, veteran boxing writer Carlos Costa of Panama, can be reached at carlos@philboxing.com and whatsapp +639184538152.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
“HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT” OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND QUOTES
Fri, 06 Jun 2025Press Conference Notes: Keyshawn Davis Returns Home for Inaugural World Title Defense at Norfolk’s Scope Arena
Fri, 06 Jun 2025DAZN PRESENTS NEW NO DAYS OFF EPISODE HIGHLIGHTING REIGNING UNIFIED SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION FRANCHÓN CREWS-DEZURN
Fri, 06 Jun 2025ANTONIO VARGAS PENS CO-PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM AND BOXLAB
Fri, 06 Jun 2025Antimaro, Jimenez to fight in Japan on June 7
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 05 Jun 2025Keyshawn Davis vs. Edwin De Los Santos Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
Thu, 05 Jun 2025“Prospects Collide” Full Card Announced
Thu, 05 Jun 2025Correa Set for High-Stakes Bantamweight Showdown vs. Undefeated Michael Angeletti on ProBox TV
Thu, 05 Jun 2025Kansas Athletic Commission overturns ‘No Contest’ to TKO win for undefeated Super middleweight prospect Marco Romero
Thu, 05 Jun 20252nd JCI Senate Lipa Chess Festival set
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 05 Jun 2025RING III: TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR THRILLING JULY 12 NEW YORK DOUBLE HEADER FEATURING STEVENSON-ZEPEDA AND BERLANGA-SHEERAZ
Thu, 05 Jun 2025Unbeaten Middleweight Sebastian Juarez Faces Power-Punching Shaquille Cameron on Most Valuable Prospects 13, Live on DAZN
Thu, 05 Jun 2025IIEE National Chess Olympiad
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 05 Jun 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Mental Health & Mental Wellness
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 04 Jun 2025Inaugural AFBC Normalisation Committee meeting sets vision for strategic reforms and collaboration
Wed, 04 Jun 2025