| |
|
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:
2026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Set to Compete at Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria
, Sun, 22 Feb 2026SMEP, SAEP round 6 standoff in PTC WED NEMO 4th D’ Engineers Chess Cup
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 22 Feb 2026Late Valentine’s gift for Lover Boy
By Joaquin Henson, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026“Prince” Albert Pagara Heads to Perth, Australia, for WBC Australasia Title Fight
By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026BARRIOS vs GARCIA (FIGHT ANALYSIS)
By Ralph Rimpell, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026FLOYD MAYWEATHER UNRETIRES
, Sat, 21 Feb 2026WBC Introduces new award "WBC Main Event" world championship Chain & Pendant
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026WOOD-WARRINGTON II OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED FOR SOLD-OUT REMATCH IN NOTTINGHAM
, Sat, 21 Feb 2026"Rompete la Madre" documentary is now in the Mexican theaters
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026A Massive Weekend Ahead for Renowned Trainer Bob Santos
, Sat, 21 Feb 2026Barrios vs Garcia: Where Art Thou Ryan Garcia?
By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026Pacman bout details revealed
By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026IIEE to defend Billiard crown in PTC World 2026, World Champ Magpantay is PSA Awardee
By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026Wood-Warrington II Press Conference Quotes: Everything that Was Said Ahead of Saturday's Sold-Out Rematch in Nottingham
, Fri, 20 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Opponents for Rising Stars Jimuel Pacquiao Jr. and Curmel Moton on Feb. 28 at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York
, Fri, 20 Feb 2026Rising Star Promotions Returns to Prudential Center April 10 LIVE ON PROBOX TV
, Fri, 20 Feb 2026Sante Barley Trilogy Leg 1 on March 29 in Azuela
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026Team Rapid chess tourney goes to Pasay City on March 8 By Marlon Bernardino
By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 20 Feb 20263rd Horse Show & competition scheduled on February 21-22
By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 19 Feb 2026Robinsons Bacolod Chess Festival set
By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 19 Feb 2026TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Alex Bray Set for WBA Continental Latin American Title Clash February 20 in Orlando
, Thu, 19 Feb 2026Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki Calls out Jai Opetaia
, Thu, 19 Feb 2026BREAKING NEWS: DAZN AND MATCHROOM BOXING SIGN NEW FIVE-YEAR DEAL
, Thu, 19 Feb 202675 climbers start trekking to Mt. Apo today
, Thu, 19 Feb 20264 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
, Thu, 19 Feb 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
