Giovanni Santillan Remains Undefeated

Giovanni Santillan Remains Undefeated – Undefeated Giovanni Santillan knocked down Mexico’s Juan De Jesus Macias in the first round but it got harder from then on Friday night to remain undefeated.

San Diego’s “Gallo de Oro” Santillan (19-0, 10 Kos) caught Macias (18-6-2, 9 Kos) with a perfect right hook but all it did was wake up the junior welterweight from Guaymas, Mexico before a sold out crowd at the Doubletree Hotel.

Santillan proved early he was the quicker fighter especially when unloading combinations, but Macias showed he was willing to take chances to get something started. After absorbing several right hooks, Macias began connecting with long range rights to the body and head.

Each round got tougher and tougher with Santillan trying different attack combinations before realizing his swift right jab was the perfect antidote to Macias long range attacks. But Santillan was never completely in control.

After eight rounds all three judges scored it for Santillan 80-72, 79-72, 78-73. But it seemed slightly closer.

Santillan is Thompson Boxing Promotions newest hot prospect. This could be the year he moves into contender status.

Other bouts

Garden Grove’s Jose “Gato” Roman (22-1-1, 15 Kos) collided heads with Mexico’s Angel Martinez (14-9-1, 9 Kos) and down he went in the second round. He got up but was met by an angry Roman who suffered a laceration on the top of his head from the clash of heads. The Californian immediately unleashed some vicious body blows and down went Martinez for good at 1:06 of the second round.

Tijuana’s Carlos Carlson (20-1, 14 Kos) defeated Mexico City’s Giovanni “Ruso” Caro (23-18-4, 19 Kos) by unanimous decision in a mostly one-side fight. Carlson was able to do as he pleased against Caro who has a rock jaw but no power in his punches. All three judges scored it for Carlson 60-54 twice and 59-55.

Santa Ana’s Erick Ituarte (13-1-1, 2 Kos) floored Hemet’s Fernando Fuentes (7-7) in the first round with a slick one-two. But after that, the two featherweights could never gain a solid advantage against each other. Ituarte’s was able to land more solid combinations throughout the fight and that proved the difference as all three judges scored it in his favor 60-53, 58-55, 57-56.

Indio’s Manuel Mendez (10-1-1, 6 Kos) was bigger, stronger and faster than Tijuana’s veteran Jose Araiza (34-16-1, 25 Kos) but couldn’t find the right combination to use all of his advantages. Despite some powerful combinations by Mendez he never could catch clever Araiza flush with blows. Finally at 2:18 the lightweight fight was stopped in the fourth round and Mendez given the victory by knockout.

Colombia’s Cesar Villarraga (9-1, 4 Kos) returned to the ring after an upset loss and injury in his last fight and found Mexico’s Hugo Padilla (2-6) another tough nut to crack. Villarraga was the faster and seemingly stronger fighter, but refused to go to Padilla’s body. The Mexican fighter was wearing a protector almost near his chest. Villarraga won all three cards 40-36 in the lightweight fight.

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