BLAZING TRAILS AGAINST THUNDER

Jeo Santisima is in Japan to help out Japanese former world champion Shun Kubo for his upcoming fight.

Santisima will stay in Osaka for almost three weeks to keep Kubo in shape for his April 28 bout against fellow Japanese Hiroshige Osawa.

Aside from helping out Kubo, the 21-year-old Santisima also gains much-needed experience from a world-class fighter.

“It’s a huge boost to a boxer being able to spar with a former world champion. It’s like a real fight because there’s no holding back. He can also gain experience and learn techniques that he will be able to use on a real fight,” ALA Gym head trainer Edito Villamor told SunStar Cebu.

This is Santisima’s second time to be tapped as a sparring partner in Japan. He worked as Shingo Wake’s sparring partner in 2016.

“It will definitely help him a lot as we have big plans for him,” said ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer.

Santisima will probably return to action on either a June or July date for a regional title belt either here or abroad.

Santisima last saw action last Nov. 25 and scored an easy first round knockout of Indonesian Kichang Kim at the Bohol Wisdom School Gym in Tagbilaran City.

Santisima, 15-2 with 13 knockouts, could break into the world rankings by winning a regional title crown.