SPORTS FACTS AND FIGURES 32: ALEX SANTISIMA FIGHTS SUBARU MURATA OF JAPAN
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 01 Feb 2024
Alex Santisima, the younger brother of former ALA standout Jeo Santisima of ZIP Sanman Boxing Team will make his debut in Japan on March 2, 2024. He will face fellow unbeaten opponent Subaru Murata of Japan in an eight round bout.
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The 23-year-old Santisima is from Aroroy, Masbate native and now residing in Cebu, is undefeated in eight fights with two knockouts. Alex, one of the four Santisima brothers engaged in boxing, has been rigidly training at the ZIP Sanman Boxing Gym in Cebu City.
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Santisima won over Arnel Buyoc in San Juan City to seize the Philippines Boxing Federation (PBF) super bantamweight title last July 29. Then he defeated Renan Portes last October 29 by unanimous decision in General Santos City.
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He sparred with former three-division world champion Kosei Tanaka of Japan. Tanaka has been training in Cebu for weeks now to prepare for his scheduled world title fight against Christian Rangel of Mexico on February 24.
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Tanaka won his first world title in only his fifth bout, and became the fastest Japanese fighter ever to become a world champion. Together with Vasyl Lomachenko, he is also the fastest ever fighter to win titles in three weight-classes, having accomplished it in only 12 bouts.
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The 27-year-old Murata has fought three of his five fights in the United States. He won a third round stoppage against Juan Centeno of Nicaragua in their bout that happened in Las Vegas last July 28. Murata has a 5-0 record with a perfect five knockout wins, making him a formidable opponent for Santisima.
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Coach Tim Cone is still hoping Justin Brownlee will be given the go signal to play again for Gilas Pilipinas for it's games next month under his new coaching assignment. The national team is still waiting for FIBA's decision on Brownlee’s suspension emanating from the use of an illegal substance during the Asian Games.
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Cone has listed the services of the three-time PBA Best Import awardee as a naturalized player of the 12-man roster he organized to play in the February window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers and other coming games.
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“Justin Brownlee’s going to be our naturalized player if everything works out with FIBA,” said Cone, who was appointed to the head coaching position. “We’re hoping their (FIBA’s) decision will come down sometime this week and that it will hopefully free him up for the window on the 22nd.”
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Gilas Pilipinas' opening game versus Hong Kong will be on February 22 at the Tsuen Wan Stadium in Hong Kong to be followed by a home game with Chinese-Taipei on February 25 at PhilSports Arena, Pasig City.
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Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James was selected to the NBA All-Star Game for a record 20th time on Thursday, and listed among the 10 starters for the 73rd All-Star competition on February 18 at Indianapolis, Indiana.
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James, a four-time NBA Most Valuable Player, was named an All-Star starter for the 20th consecutive year, a selection that began in 2005 in his second NBA season. The 39-year-old veteran playmaker, a four-time NBA champion, broke the record for All-Star appearances that he had shared with another Lakers star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
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Sports History: February 1, 1965. Former world heavyweight boxing champion Floyd Patterson beat Canadian George Chuvalo by unanimous decision in a 12-round non-title clash at New York’s Madison Square Garden. It was voted as The Ring Fight of the Year.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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