By CARLO ANOLIN
Jeo Santisima unleashed lethal left hooks on the way to an impressive fifth-round knockout win over Japanese fighter Hiroshige Osawa in their eight-round featherweight bout at the EDION Arena in Osaka, Japan Sunday, Aug. 14.
The win was a redemption of sort for Santisima who lost to American Joet Gonzales last March. It likewise bolstered his chances for a crack at the belt.
The Masbate native boxer floored the Japanese twice, both with his hefty and properly-timed hooks, in Rounds 3 and 5 to take home the win and end the Filipino boxers’ curse against Japanese fighters.
After gaining momentum from his aggressiveness in the second frame, Santisima knew where to target Osawa and finally found his groove and so caught him with the vicious left hook at the 2:37 mark but the Japanese easily got back up on his feet.
The 26-year-old Santisima mixed it up with body shots and worked on the inside before the two boxers caught their breath in the fourth round.
But that proved to be the last good rest for both as Santisima went for the kill, connecting a perfect counter left hook against Osawa’s flurry as the referee intervened at the 1:05 mark.
“I fought on enemy’s turf and it was not wise to let the judges decide the fight. The game plan was really to finish the fight within the distance. Coach Michael Domingo had a great game plan and I executed it well,” said Santisima, who improved to 22 wins built on 19 knockouts and four losses.
“Props to Osawa for a great fight. I am very grateful to ZIP-Sanman for this opportunity and dedicate this win for my countrymen,” said the Sanman Promotions talent.
Osawa, 37, for his part, fell to a 37-6 record on top of 21 KOs.
