By Rey Danseco
Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation welterweight champion Rev “Gentle Giant” Santillan has arrived in Japan for his scheduled title defense against an unbeaten challenger.
Veteran trainer Brix Flores accompanied the rangy Santillan in the flight from Mactan International Airport in Cebu around 7 a.m yesterday.
The 5-11 Filipino southpaw will put his newly re-acquired regional title against 7th ranked Japanese fighter Hiroshi Yamaguchi, who stands a half inch taller, at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on April 20.
It will be the first time the pride of Jaro town in Iloilo will face a taller opponent.
Santillan, now rated No. 11 by the World Boxing Council, believes his experience will make the difference, saying Yamaguchi’s style is tailor made for him.
Yamaguchi, who will face his first Filipino opponent, and fought only one good boxer in his young career when in December 2004 he figured in a draw over 10 rounds with unbeaten Japan-based Uzbek Farkhad Masa Bakirov, who is rated by the World Boxing Association.
Santillan promised not to take Yamaguchi lightly despite the fact he defeated more quality foes compared to Yamaguchi, whose mostly beat overmatched Thai imports.
Santillan, 28, sports a 22-2-1 win-loss-draw record with 16 knockouts, while Yamaguchi, 27, parades a 14-0-1 card with 10 knockouts.
Santillan reclaimed the OPBF belt in his last fight on December 3, with 8th round knockout of Japanese champ Kazuhiko Hidaka in what was a rematch.
