Jeo Santisima vows to dethrone Thai champion by knockout in ATK Promotions’ historic card

CEBU, Philippines — Jeo “Santino” Santisima knows the magnitude of the task at hand fighting before his hometown fans in a historic card by the lagoon - a first in Philippine boxing.

And Santisima is up to the challenge.

Brimming with confidence, Santisima  (23-7, 19KOs) vowed to dethrone Thai champion  Arnon Yupang (14-4, 5KOs) as they figure in a 12-round rumble for the World Boxing Council (WBC) Asia Continental super featherweight title in the main event of  “Bakbakan sa Masbate 2” presented by ATK Promotions of Masbate Governor Antonio Kho today (Saturday, June 22) at the world-class Masbate Lagoon in Cataingan.

“Surprise ni ugma (today) kay ako siyang i-knockout,” the 27-year-old Santisima boldy declared. “Dili ko kasulti kon unsa nga round kay mag-depende ra na sa dagan sa away pero segurado ko nga duna gyuy knockout.”

But the pride of Aroroy who first made a name with the now defunct ALA Gym must brace for one big war as Yupang said he did not travel far just to relinquish his crown.

“I’m 100 percent sure that I’m going to defend my title,” Yupang said.

Meanwhile, Jeo’s younger brother Alex Santisima, Jr. (8-1, 2KOs) will be seeing action on the undercard of the slam-bang show featuring five championship bouts. 

Alex will lock horns with Justine “Philippine Tiger” Darap (11-5, 7KOs) of CDG Sport Center in Calbayog City, Samar for the World Boxing Foundation (WBF) Australasian super flyweight belt.

In another 12-rounder, Jon Jon “Wolv erine” Estrada (18-12-1, 14KOs) of Elorde Fight Team in Sucat, Parañaque will go up against WBC Asia Silver flyweight titlist Michael “Hot N’ Spicy” Dasmarinas (34-3-2, 24KOs) of CamSur Sports Academy for the vacant Philippine featherweight throne.

Esneth “Hard Hitter” Domingo (19-2, 11KOs) of General Santos City’s ZIP Samman Boxing will take on fellow countryman Enrique Magsalin of Iloilo for the WBC Asia flyweight strap, while Ben “Sniper Ben Fairtex” Ligas (16-4, 10KOs) of Elorde Stable will battle against  Alvin Camique (8-2, 3KOs) of GenSan’s Amoy Gym for the WBF International super flyweight title.

Five other match-ups will serve as aperitif of the surefire blockbuster event, including Cebuano Reycar Auxillo of Big Yellow Gym against Remon Basas of Dino Olivetti Gym in Binan, Laguna.