SANTILLAN KO'S HIDAKA TO REGAIN OPBF CROWN
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 04 Dec 2005
Iloilo-born fighter Rev "Gentle Giant" Santillan, determined to bring back the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation welter crown, yesterday did just that after he knocked out Japanese Kazuhiko Hidaka in the eighth round of their scheduled 12-round bout at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
It was a sweet redemption for the southpaw Santillan, who was dethroned by the same Hidaka last March 19 during their first encounter in the same venue.
It was a very close encounter right at the opening bell, as both fighters fought to a frenetic pace, often giving and receiving punches that caused both of them to get groggy at several points of what turned out to be a war.
"Sus, grabeha nga away oy. Sumbagay jud! Pirting nindota awaya. Groggy silang duha, pero si Santillan jud ang nidaog," (What a fight. It was a rumble. Very great fight. They were both groggy, but Santillan won in the end), said an ecstatic Rex "Wakee" Salud, in a long-distance interview with this writer.
The fight was so close, even Filipino judge Alex Vidal had the WBC no. 10 Hidaka ahead by one point after seven rounds.
"I had a very tough fight tonight. Hidaka is a real warrior. But I was confident because I had a great training and conditioning for this fight," Santillan, who now improves to 22 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw, with 16 KO's, told this writer yesterday.
The win also virtually assures Santillan of getting back his top 10 rankings in the WBC's welter class, which he lost following the debacle to Hidaka early this year.
END
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
FULL CIRCLE AT WILD CARD: Jhay Otamias’ Tribute to a Fighter and a Fanbase
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Mon, 30 Jun 2025Vince Paras Wins by 4th Round KO Over Sarawut Thawornkham to Capture the IBF Pan Pacific Super Flyweight Title
Mon, 30 Jun 2025Team USA's Quest for Gold Set in Stone at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Mon, 30 Jun 2025SBA SEASON 2 DRAFT UNVEILS RISING STARS AND STRATEGIC MOVES AS TEAMS COMPLETE THEIR ROSTERS
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 30 Jun 2025Filipino Elwin Retanal wins Saudi rapid chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 30 Jun 2025Jake Paul Earns Boxing Legitimacy with Dominant Decision Over Julio Cesar Chávez Jr.
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 29 Jun 2025Zurdo Ramirez Defends Cruiserweight Crowns with Unanimous Decision Over Dorticos
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 29 Jun 2025Vince Paras Faces Sarawut Thawornkham Today at Venue 88 in Gensan
Sun, 29 Jun 2025USA Elite High Performance Team Sets Sights on Gold at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Sun, 29 Jun 2025Alekhine Nouri bags silver in blitz
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 29 Jun 2025Paul vs. Chavez Jr: Can Julio Derail Jake Paul?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 28 Jun 2025Dr. KO: Christian Mbilli Stops Maciej Sulecki in 1
Sat, 28 Jun 2025GOLDEN BOY SIGNS UNDEFEATED MIDDLEWEIGHT BLUE-CHIP PROSPECT AMARI JONES
Sat, 28 Jun 2025Paul vs. Chávez Jr. is a Go: All Fighters Make Weight in Anaheim Ahead of High-Stakes Bout
Sat, 28 Jun 2025IIEE Chessmasters Overall Champion in the International Bundesliga with GM Joey Antonio
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 28 Jun 2025