ORANGE, Calif. (Aug. 18, 2014) – San Diego product Giovani Santillan (14-0, 8 KOs) put on an electric performance against Osenohan Vazquez (7-2-1, 2 KOs) in Saturday’s 8-round main event fromThompson Boxing Promotions “Path to Glory SD Style” show at the Harley-Davidson Dealership San Diego. Santillan, 22, used an effective mix of technical ability and defense to produce a fifth round TKO win, and in the process, took home the vacant NABF Jr. 140 lb. Title.
“It was my first pro fight in my hometown, first time headlining an event, and first title fight,” Santillan said. “I knew I had to put on a great show because anything less would have been a disappointment.”
“He was sensational from beginning to end,” said Ken Thompson, president of Thompson Boxing. “He moved with a level of confidence that we haven’t seen up to this point. He’s growing up and developing at a faster rate than anyone expected.”
In the co-main event, veteran super bantamweight Chris Martin (28-3-3, 9 KOs) registered a much-needed unanimous decision (77-75 x3) win over the tough Giovanni Caro (24-15-4, 19 KOs). Martin, also from San Diego, looked to counter punch early, while Caro moved forward looking to engage. Through eight rounds, it was a back-and-forth fight with both boxers landing quality shots. Martin, however, showed more consistency round-over-round and was able to squeeze out a close win.
Super bantamweight Danny Roman (10-2-1, 5 KOs) required two rounds to dispatch Pedro Melo (9-6-2) in a fight that was scheduled for 8-rounds. Roman was by far the superior boxer and it showed within the opening minute of the first round. By round two, a straight left from Roman sent Melo crashing to the canvas. Roman would rock Melo with a flurry of punches to end the round. At that point, Melo was unable to continue and Roman secured his tenth professional win.
Hard-hitting welterweight Adrian Vargas (10-0, 7 KOs) of San Diego made quick work of Miguel Rico(2-7-1) en route to a first round knockout win. Vargas scored two knockdowns, with the second coming from a hard body shot that Rico was unable to shake off.
In what was perhaps the most stunning defeat of the night, super bantamweight Jonathan Alcantara (7-11-2) routed Heriberto Delgado (11-1, 6 KOs) 60-54 on all three scorecards. Alcantara was able to pressure Delgado onto the ropes and into the corners without much resistance. The lopsided decision put an end to Delgado’s flawless record.
Middleweights Ulises Sierra (6-0-2, 4 KOs) and Jas Phipps (4-5-1, 1 KO) fought to a 4-round draw with the judges scoring it 39-37 Sierra, 39-37 Phipps, and 38-38. Both boxers managed to score points through quality combinations, although neither was able to dominate consecutive rounds.
The opening fight of “Path to Glory SD Style” saw San Diego lightweight Antonio Arellano (7-2-1, 2 KOs) earn a first round knockout win over Mario Hermosillo (12-14-4, 2 KOs). Arellano was clearly the more polished fighter despite Hermosillo’s veteran background. Midway through the first round, Arellano connected with a strong combination that was too much for Hermosillo to handle.
