Joe “Santino” Santisima of the Philippines (2nd from left) and his opponent Junior Bajawa of Indonesia (2nd from right) pose for the media right after their weigh-in yesterday at the J Center Mall. They tangle tonight in the main event of IDOL 2 Boxing Series at the Mandaue Sports Complex. (CDN PHOTO/FERDINAND R. EDRALIN)
Boxing fans are advised to stay alert as tonight’s “IDOL 2 Boxing Series” may end in a blink after Masbate City’s Jeo “Santino” Santisima vows to knockout Indonesia’s Junior Bajawa in their main event duel at the Mandaue City Sports Complex.
Santisima said that he doesn’t want to tire himself, so he will go for a protracted win and cement his status as one of ALA Boxing Gym’s top knockout artists.
Santisima has 10 wins with nine knockouts and two losses.
“Kapoy naman kung mo abot pa ug 10-rounds, ako jud ni humanon ug sayo. Naa jud matumba aning awaya,” said Santisima after yesterday’s official weigh-in at the J Center Mall in Mandaue City. “Iyahang style kay mo counter unya mo atras mao nang ako jud siya i pressure ug maayo.”
5 ROUNDS OR LESS
Santisima’s trainer, former world title contender Michael Domingo said that Bajawa would be very lucky if the fight reaches five rounds. “Layo ra ang five rounds ani niya. Si Jeo naay kusog, nya andam pud magkigsagol. Expected jud naay ma knockout ani nilang duha, nindot jud ning awaya,” said Domingo.
Santisima weighed in at 122.6 lbs while Bajawa (14-8, 7KOs) tipped the scales at 120lbs for their 122lbs division showdown.
Bajawa meanwhile, remains confident he can hand Santisima’s third loss. His trainer Leo Daroguthni said that they have set up a gameplan to exploit Santisima’s weakness come fight night.
In the equally exciting co-main event, Santisima’s stablemate the unbeaten Melvin “Gringo” Jerusalem (9-0, 7KOs) weighed in at 105.blbs while his foe, WBC International light flyweight champion Jonathan Refugio (15-4-4, 3KOs) weighed in at 103.8lbs for their 108lbs, 10-round bout.
Jerusalem promised fireworks in the ring tonight. “Lisud isulti nga ma knockout nako siya. Dili lang ta mo kumpyansa. Ang ako ra jud masaad nga nindot jud ni among away duha,” Jerusalem said.
UNDERCARD
In the undercard, Jess Rhey Waminal and his opponent Joe Tejones tipped the scales at 118lbs and 117.8lbs respectively for their 8-round bantamweight duel; Virgel Vitor weighed in at 119lbs while his foe Paul Varona weighed in at 116.4lbs for their 8-round bantamweight bout while Esneth Domingo weighed in at 110lbswhile his opponent Elmer Liboon came in at 107lbs for their 6-round, junior flyweight fight.
Curtain raisers Lawrence Ladrada and Tomas Rebusit weighed 112lbs and 110.8lbs, respectively for their 4-round, flyweight tussle.
Fight time is 6 p.m.