Giovani Santillan Stops Jeovanis Barraza to Make a Statement at 147!
Talented welterweight Giovani “Gallo de Oro” Santillan (29-0, 15KOs) put on a clinic in front of his home crowd against Jeovanis Barraza (23-2, 15KOs).
Santillan fought for the third time under world-class trainer Robert Garcia, and it showed early. The window of opportunity is small for the 30-year-old unranked prospect. He has gained experience sparring former world champion Timothy Bradley and Hall of Famer Floyd Mayweather. The boxing community learned of Santillan following his win over former lightweight champion Antonio Demarco in the 2020 Bubble.
Furthermore, he is competing in the deepest division in boxing. With this fight serving as the co-main event of Mikaela Mayer versus Jennifer Han, this was the perfect opportunity for Santillan to make a statement, with so many fans watching.
GOOD BODYWORK ON THE INSIDE
Barraza started trying to use his bigger frame to overpower the undefeated fighter. However, Santillan got right up in the chest of the Colombian and went to work on the inside landing bone-crushing body shots. Gallo de Oro continued to come forward, using his footwork to keep his opponent pinned up against the ropes, and was landing a barrage of right hooks and left uppercuts. Moreover, he would sidestep to the blindside to land a double left hook to Barraza, who kept his head on the centerline.
STATEMENT MADE
Santillan was in total control of the fight. It was becoming obvious that fighting under Garcia, Santillan’s inside fighting was paying off. The fight turned into a glorified sparring session. Before the start of round seven, Barraza was told in the corner to fight back or the fight was going to be stopped.
Santillan was told that he needed to make the referee stop the fight if he wanted to make a statement. That sparked a fire under the young man fighting in front of the California fans, and he responded with a thunderous right hook and straight left hands.
Finally, after landing a barrage of four unanswered shots, the referee stepped in on a retreating Barraza, ending the fight in the seventh round. Santillan needed to win in this fashion, and under the watchful eye of trainer Robert Garcia, it is only a matter of time before Santillan reaches the top of the rankings.
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By: Garrisson Bland
