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SANTILLAN VIES FOR OPBF TITLE TODAY IN OSAKA
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 14 Jul 2007
Filipino Rev 'Gentle Giant' Santillan guns for the OPBF welterweight title once again when he challenges reigning champion Taisei Marumoto in a grudge rematch today at the Archaic Hall in Amagasaki, Osaka, Japan.
Today's battle will be a rematch of their 2004 bout won by Santillan via unanimous decision, although this time, they have not swapped places with Santillan now being the challenger and Marumoto the defending champion.
Rex 'Wakee' Salud, Santillan's manager, sees an uphill battle for his ward, considering the tough defensive style of the Japanese champion.
"Santillan will have a very tough fight. This boy Marumoto has a defensive style ala Winky Wright and it will be difficult to knock him out," informed Salud, adding "The only reason Santillan had won in their first encounter was because he was able to unload on a lot of his punches. Hope he can do that again this time."
Referee-judge for today's fight is Australian Brad Vocale, while one judge is Filipino Alex Vidal and one Japanese judge.
Marumoto (20-7-1, 9 KO's) had won the OPBF title with a seventh-round technical knockout over Hiroshi Yamaguchi last year. It was Yamaguchi who dethroned Santillan via a hairline split decision verdict in April last year.
The Iloilo City-raised Santillan (23-3-1, 16 KO's), the 30-year-old southpaw from Tacas, Jaro, is a power-punching fighter although there have been concerns over his defensive skills in the past. Trainer Brix Flores has reportedly corrected that flaw and fans will see the result.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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