Santiago Defeats Taniguchi, Keeps WBA, WBO 108lb Belt
By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda (to come soon)
Puerto Rican footworker Rene Santiago (16-4, 9 KOs), 107.25, kept his WBA, WBO light flyweight belts as he dropped Japanese southpaw Masataka Taniguchi (21-6, 15 KOs), 108, in round five and controlled the fight with his faster hands and feet, winning a unanimous decision (117-110, 116-111, 114-113) over twelve fast rounds on Friday in Tokyo, Japan. Santiago fully displayed his excellent footwork and counterpunching against the southpaw bull all the way. The fifth saw Rene floor Masataka with a beautiful right uppercut in the close quarter.
Taniguchi furiously kept stalking the fleet-footed champ, who, however, averted his desperate attacks with his hit-and-grab strategy in later rounds. Santiago said, “Taniguchi was a game warrior, but I could control the fight with my skills.” It took place at Korakuen Hall, where 1,675 spectators were in attendance. The referee was Bence Kovacs, from Hungary, who handled the fast-moving contestants very well.
Promoter: Masayuki Ito, Treasure Boxing Promotions in association with Teiken Promotions.
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