San Diego’s undefeated welterweight contender Giovani Santillan (32-0, 17 KOs) returns to fight home once again. This Saturday night when he takes on undefeated Brian Norman Jr (25-0, 19 KOs) of Georgia for the interim WBO welterweight title at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego as the co-feature bout to Navarrete vs. Berinchyk live on ESPN.
“I feel great. I’m ready. I’m excited to be putting on a show in front of San Diego again. This will be my third time at Pechanga, and I feel like it gets better every time.” Giovanni Santillan said. "It’s exciting (to be fighting in San Diego), especially coming off of my last victory. I’m excited to show everybody that I’m going to keep that going. Santillan added.
Coming off a solid performance, Santillan stopped Alexis Rocha in six this past October at the Forum in Los Angeles. In a fight that saw him sent Rocha to the canvas multiple times and earning him the number one contender spot.
“The same type of performance I put on in my last fight, I’m looking to do that in this fight,” Santillan said.
The 32- year-old Santillan comes into this fight well prepared with a solid training camp with trainer Robert Garcia at his stable in Riverside, California as they prepare for the relatively unknown and unbeaten Norman.
“I have been training hard for this. I knew about this date back in February. It’s been a solid camp. I’m ready,” Santillan said about his preparation.
His opponent Brian Norman is coming off a no-contest against Janelson Bocachica back in March as both suffered cuts. Prior to that, Norman won a unanimous decision over Quinton Randall last year in November of 2023. Now he steps up in competition against Santillan.
“Fans are going to see a great fight. I’m going up against another undefeated guy in Brian Norman. These are the type of fights that I’m looking for, top opposition so I can showcase what I can really do.” Santillan on the matchup. “He is a good fighter, and undefeated. Saturday I’m expecting a war and a great fight,” Santillan on his opponent Brian Norman.
Santillan, ranked number 1 by the WBO received the big news this week as it was announced that the fight with Norman will be for the WBO interim welterweight title. Holding the WBO crown is the undefeated pound for pound champion Terence Crawford as he is slated to defend his crown in August vs. Israil Madrimov.
“It means everything for me for it to be here in my hometown fighting for a world title.” Santillan on fighting for a world title at home. “All these years, all that hard work, it’s going to come together. I have been looking forward to this fight. It’s business as usual but I have had to earn this opportunity,” Santillan added.
Looking to become San Diego’s first champion since Paul Vaden back in 1995, Santillan also looks to revive San Diego boxing circuit as the current celebrated fighter. With the city just 15 minutes north of the border town of Tijuana, Mexico, a major boxing town that has produced many great champions. Santillan hopes to take boxing to another level in San Diego.
“I’ve been looking forward to something like this happening ever since my first fight here in San Diego in 2021. I hope to fight more and bring more boxing to San Diego,” Santillan stated.
Saturday night the opportunity presents itself.
“To be having this opportunity. It’s an honor for this to happen, I feel happy and I’m ready,” Santillan concluded.
Follow Miguel on Twitter @MigMaravilla
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