Fighter of the Week (10/16-10/22): Giovani Santillan
Giovani Santillan seemed like a safe fight for Alexis Rocha. An undefeated opponent, who didn't seem to have much power, or really an identity as a fighter. He had no wins of note and looked completely pedestrian in recent fights. A glossy record and low-risk fight for Rocha, the #1 ranked Welterweight in the world by the WBO, while he awaited bigger things, namely a world title opportunity, in presumably his next fight. That will have to wait for Rocha, it's Santillan, who is now fast-tracked to a world title fight. Santillan, 31, and a native of San Diego, California, destroyed Rocha and moved his record to 32-0 (17) by destroying Rocha, dropping him multiple times on his way to scoring a 6th round stoppage and taking home our Fighter of the Week Award.
Santillan had embraced a more front-foot style, swarming and pressuring his opponent. He had also been a back-foot fighter at other times. There was no confusion Saturday night at the Forum in Inglewood. The undefeated contender stayed on the front foot and brought the fight to Rocha. Santillan busted open the nose of his opponent in the opening round with a left hand that sent a message to Rocha, this was going to be no easy night! Over the next few rounds, Santillan continued to find the mark, landing chopping left hands and right hooks that were affecting Rocha. Rocha was landing some nice shots of his own on the inside. However, he was clearly getting more than he was giving back. In the fifth, Santillan pushed on and unleashed a six-punch flurry that dropped Rocha, who got to his feet. However, the writing was on the wall, and Santillan smelled blood, and unleashed on his opponent, scoring a second knockdown. The sixth picked up where the fifth left off. Santillan went right after Rocha, scoring him with left uppercuts close range. Scoring one after another until Rocha took a knee. This time, referee Ray Corona stopped the contest, giving Santillan the biggest win of his career.
Santillan has been on their radar a bit for a few years, hes been infighting predominantly on ESPN on Top Rank cards, who aren't major players. He seemed like a fringe contender. However, that perception, thanks to this performance and the tutelage of Robert Garcia, has put the San Diegan in a position to fight for a world title in the very near future. Santillan will likely jump up in the world rankings, where he currently sits at #5 by the WBO. While it still remains to be seen if he will jump to the top spot. It certainly stands to reason that he will jump Spence, who is likely opting out of the division, as well as Rashidi Ellis and Cody Crowley, who will likely challenge Barrios for the WBC. That will put him in the top 2 spots, meaning when Crawford vacates to move up to 154, Santillan in all likelihood, will be fighting for the vacated world title. That realistically will happen in his next fight, when Crawford makes the announcement. Santillan could be a world champion by early 2024.
