Santiago Wins A Thriller

In a thrilling encounter, as part of the main event of the evening, two-time world title contender, Mario "El príncipe ponceño" Santiago (22-3-1, 14KOs) won a unanimous eight round decision over Hector Marengo (5-3-4, 3 KO’s), at the Juan Pachin Vicens Auditorium, Ponce, Puerto Rico on Friday.

Santiago started fast, landing solid left power shots to Marengo’s body, alongside with a stiff jab but in the third round, Marengo was very aggressive, landing good shots to Santiago’s face but Santiago managed to take control of the fight. All three judges scored the bout 77-75 for Santiago

"All I wanted was a win, and it was good because I went the distance. I really felt good and now I’m more motivated than ever stated Santiago "the plan is to go down to 130 pounds, where I know, I will be in excellent shape, much faster and stronger, but still, I’m happy with tonight’s’ performance" said Santiago, who carried a large fan base to the event that was held in his hometown of Ponce, PR.

The Santiago vs Marengo fight was fought at 135 pounds.

Santiago was inactive for over two years due contractual conflicts with his manager.

In a light welterweight war, Fernando Torres (18-3-1, 10 KOs) won a split six round decision over Samuel ’Sammito’ Santana (5-7-2).

Torres visited the canvas in the first round, but was able to recover and drop Santana in rounds three, four and five in order to obtain the victory.

"I’m surprised ’Sammito’, came well prepared, but my preparation was instrumental in this victory and we knew we were ahead" said an excited Torres.

The judges scorecards read 56-54 and 57-54 for Torres and 56-55 for Santana.

In a super bantamweight bout, Edgardo "Eggie" Laboy (4-0, 2 KOs) remained unbeaten by crushing Angel Lopez (2-12) by tko in the second round. López visited the canvas in the first and second rounds.

At 115 pounds, the newcomer, Edwin "Puto" Rodriguez (1-0, 1 KOs) won by tko in the second round over Alberto Feliciano (0-1).

In another bout at 130 pound divisions, Moises Velez (2-0, 1 KOs) defeated Wilfredo Garriga (0-1) by split decision. The judges voted 39-37 twice for Velez and 39-37 for Garriga.

In a bout at 108lbs, Julio "Tun Tun" Irizarry (3-2-1, 1 KOs) and Desmond Correa (0-0-2) was declared a draw. The judges’ scorecards were 40-36 for Correa, 40-36 for Irizarry and 38-38.

Jimmy Suarez (2-4) defeated Anthony Adorno, (0-6), by knockout after 2:37 of the second round in a heavyweight bout. Adorno visited the canvas twice in the very first round.

September 28, 2012