SANTISIMA EYES KO VS. MEXICAN
Jeo Santisima hopes to keep belt against tough Mexican in Pinoy Pride 45
Jeo Santisima’s vaunted heavy hands will be put to an ultimate test Saturday night, Nov. 24, when he takes on his first Mexican opponent, Uriel Lopez, in the main event of Pinoy Pride 45 - “Quest for Greatness” at the IEC Convention Center.
“If he’s looking for a knockout, I’ll also be looking for a knockout. He’s a Mexican, he’s tough, but I want to knock him out. We both have fighting in our blood and one of us is going down,” said Santisima.
Santisima defends his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental super bantamweight strap.
“I won’t let him get the momentum and knock him out quickly,” he said.
The 22-year-old Santisima, who has been known for his power, has a record of 16 wins, two losses and 14 knockouts. He has knocked out his last three opponents.
Lopez, the World Boxing Council (WBC) Latino super bantamweight titleholder, is 13-6-1 with six knockouts.
“It’s a risky fight because Lopez had a good fight in Japan. He knocked out an undefeated fighter. What’s important right now is that we have to know early if they have it or not. I think we’ve realized that. They have to be tested as early as now. Jeo has always had the heart and always has the potential but being in the main event is different there is the pressure, the expectations of everyone. Hopefully, this will be that fight that will be the stepping board for him to the next level,” said ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer.
Fast-rising super flyweight KJ Cataraja (8-0, 7 KOs) is eager to wrap his hands around his first title by gunning also for a knockout against Mexican youngster Hugo Reyes (9-1-1, 7 KOs) in 10-round fight for the vacant WBO Youth super flyweight belt.
“If he’s ready, I’m twice as ready as him. I will take my time on top of the ring. If he has a power, I think I have more power in my punches than him,” he said.
On the other hand, Albert Pagara (30-1, 21 KOs) is defending his WBO Inter-Continental super bantamweight belt against Ghanaian George Krampah (143, 12 KOs) in the third main feature.
Also in the show, one-time world title challenger Jonas Sultan (14-4, 9 KOs) locks horns with journeyman Ardin Diale (34-12-4, 16 KOs), while former world title contender Arthur Villanueva (323, 18 KOs) trades leathers with Carlo Demecillo (11-5, 5 KOs). /