Ex-OPBF Champ Santillan Faces Kisaragi on Feb. 12!
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 30 Dec 2006
Former Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) welterweight champion Rev 'Gentle Giant' Santillan sees action in a tune-up bout against Japanese Shana Kisaragi on February 12 at the Archaic Hall in Amagasaki, Japan before his planned crack at his old title.
Santillan had lost the OPBF title in his last fight, absorbing a split decision defeat at the hands of newly-crowned champion Hiroshi Yamaguchi last April 20 in Tokyo, Japan.
An immediate Santillan-Yamaguchi rematch was being planned, but reports from Japan had it that Yamaguchi wanted to defend his title once before facing the very durable Santillan.
To keep himself active, Santillan will also take part in a tune-up bout against Kisaragi, a 25-year-old neophyte from Osaka who holds a 5-3-3- win-loss-draw record with 2 KO's.
The Iloilo City-raised southpaw Santillan (22-3-1, 16 KO's) first won the OPBF diadem with a split decision verdict over Korean Suk Hyun Yun in 2001, defended it three times, before losing the title in a disputed fashion to Hiroshi Watanabe in late 2002.
He regained the title from Watanabe two years later, defended it once, before losing the crown once again to another Japanese Kazuhiko Hidaka in 2005 on a fourth-round knockout defeat.
In the rematch, Santillan stopped Hidaka in the eighth round of what was billed as "OPBF Fight of the Year" for 2005, before bowing to Yamaguchi in his last fight.
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