July 15, 2008
TOKYO, JAPAN
Formerly four-time OPBF welter champ, Filipino southpaw Rev Santillan (25-4-1, 18 KOs), 147, now belonging to Shakujii Gym of Japan, engaged in a comebacking go after his forfeiture of the OPBF throne, and impressively chalked up a TKO win over JBC#10 welter Koji Ikeda (10-7, 8 KOs), 146.25, at 1:52 of the seventh round on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan.
Having lost his OPBF 147-pound belt via upset sixth-round stoppage by Motoki Sasaki this February, Santillan, two years his senior at 31, took on the tall lefty, like himself, and maintained the pressure on the retreating Japanese counterpuncher. Santillan sustained a bad gash over the right optic in the sixth, but accelerated his attack to the fading foe and prompted the referee to intervene his onslaught in the seventh. Santillan is slated to face his conqueror Sasaki, a much shorter but tricky and smart puncher, in an anticipated rematch.
Promoter: Watanabe Promotions.
(7-15-08)