SANTILLAN DEFENDS OPBF TITLE IN TOKYO APR. 20
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 14 Feb 2006
Southpaw Rev "Gentle Giant" Santillan of the Wakee Salud Stable is scheduled to defend his Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation welterweight belt when he takes on undefeated Japanese prospect Hiroshi Yamaguchi on April 20 at the famed Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
Santillan (22-2-1, 16 KO's), the Iloilo City-raised fighter now fighting out of Cebu, had regained the OPBf title last December 3 by knocking out former tormentor Kazuhiko Hidaka in the eighth round in what was dubbed "OPBF Fight of the Year" by well-respected Japanese boxing guru Joe Koizumi.
Hidaka, in their previous encounter, stopped Santillan in the fourth as the latter defended the title facing personal problems that kept him away from the right mental frame.
For the first time in his career, the 5'11 Santillan will be fighting an opponent who is slightly taller than him, and this may pose problems for the power-punching Santillan, one of RP boxing's class acts in and outside of the ring.
The Tokyo-based Yamaguchi, a right-handed fighter ranked no. 7 by the OPBF, boasts of a 14-0-1 win-loss-draw record with 10 KO's in a pro career that started in 2001. He has been successful fighting against Thai boxers, although it remains to be seen if he has what it takes to bang with heavy-handed fighters like Santillan.
"I have kept myself in good shape. I'm always training in the gym, even if there's no fight. So I will be ready for the fight," Santillan said in a text message to this writer.
END
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
BROADCAST TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR “CHAMPIONING MENTAL HEALTH: A NIGHT OF BOXING” ON THURSDAY, MAY 22
Wed, 14 May 2025UNBEATEN AMATEUR WORLD CHAMPION TIAH-MAI AYTON SIGNS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Wed, 14 May 2025Arum Targets Manila Rematch: Navarrete vs. Suarez 2 Eyed for Thrilla in Manila Anniversary
By Dong Secuya, Wed, 14 May 2025Ron Johnson’s American Dream Presents & Nothing But Sportz Announce “The Caribbean Clash” Boxing Event at Miami’s James L. Knight Center on Saturday, August 9
Wed, 14 May 2025Francis Chua is Fighting for Family in Comeback fight as he eyes Future fight with Harry Garside
Tue, 13 May 2025Pacquiao Falls Short in Senate Bid, Eyes WBC Title in Stunning Boxing Comeback
By Dong Secuya, Tue, 13 May 2025Navarrete Vs. Suarez – To Right the Wrong
By Ed de la Vega, DDS, Tue, 13 May 2025Injustice in San Diego
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 13 May 2025Charly Suarez Appeals Controversial Loss to Navarrete, California Commission to Rule June 2
By Dong Secuya, Tue, 13 May 2025ALOYSIUS YAPP CROWNED 2025 UK OPEN CHAMPION IN RUTHLESS FINAL PERFORMANCE
Mon, 12 May 2025Suarez loss may be overturned
By Joaquin Henson, Mon, 12 May 2025Adones Cabalquinto Confirmed to Fight Qamil Balla on Peter Maniatis Events card in Melbourne on June 13
Mon, 12 May 2025SOUTO AND YAPP SET FOR TITLE SHOWDOWN | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Mon, 12 May 2025Referee and Ringside Doctor Save Emanuel Navarrete
By Ed de la Vega, DDS, Sun, 11 May 2025Technically Speaking: Navarrete Edges Suarez to Retain Crown
Sun, 11 May 2025