| |
|
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:
Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 02 Feb 2026International Master Eric Labog Jr. rules FIDE rapid chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 02 Feb 202676ers star Paul George has been suspended for 25 NBA games by doping
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 01 Feb 2026Fit To Be Unified: Xander Zayas Defeats Abass Baraou To Unify Junior Middleweight World Titles
, Sun, 01 Feb 2026Fit To Be Unified: Xander Zayas Defeats Abass Baraou To Unify Junior Middleweight World Titles
, Sun, 01 Feb 2026Trazo beats Jabagat in Talisay
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Feb 2026Into fights Sanchez on Feb. 9 at Villa Kristen
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Feb 2026Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson: Styles Make Fights Fitting Cliche
By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 31 Jan 2026Bryan Flores Wins Majority Decision Over Starling Castillo in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
, Sat, 31 Jan 2026KinetixSports Legacy Run on March 1
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 31 Jan 2026THE RING 6: OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON
, Sat, 31 Jan 2026Legendary Soccer Player Sergio Ramos to make professional boxing debut
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 31 Jan 2026Weigh-In Results: Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou
, Sat, 31 Jan 2026Teofimo vs Shakur Fight Analysis
By Ralph Rimpell, , Sat, 31 Jan 2026Rohan Polanco-Christian Gomez Welterweight Showdown Canceled
, Sat, 31 Jan 2026NEWCASTLE WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS MURTAZALIEV AND KELLY CLASH FOR WORLD TITLE
, Fri, 30 Jan 2026Boxers Make Weight for Brico Santig’s Exciting 21-Bout Promotion in Thailand (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026“It’s time for TSABZ to shine” Get to know Tanaka Saburi as he retuns March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
, Fri, 30 Jan 2026ATLANTIC CITY BOXING HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2026
, Fri, 30 Jan 2026Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines: WCM Nika Juris Nicolas is Ready to Fight
By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026PFDA Grass Nationals in Tagum on June 5-7
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026Press Conference Notes: Puerto Rican Star Xander Zayas Ready for Saturday's Hometown Unification Battle against Abass Baraou
, Fri, 30 Jan 2026PFDA Grass Nationals in Tagum on June 5-7
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026‘THE RING 6’ TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
, Fri, 30 Jan 2026NEWCASTLE PRESS CONFERENCE: WHAT WAS SAID AS JOSH KELLY AND BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV ARE KEPT APART AFTER HEATED FACE-OFF
, Fri, 30 Jan 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
