New Welterweight Contenders Prepare for Pivotal Clash
Published on BBC Boxing, May 1, 2023
On Saturday night, the Pechanga Arena in San Diego will host a critical 147-pound showdown as undefeated prospects Giovani Santillan (32-0, 17 KOs) and Brian Norman (25-0, 19 KOs) battle for the vacant WBO interim welterweight title.
Santillan, the WBO’s number one-ranked contender, is riding high after a career-defining upset over Alexis Rocha in 2023. The dominant sixth-round stoppage win catapulted the Robert Garcia-trained fighter to the cusp of a world title shot. “I knew how much was on the line versus Rocha,” Santillan told BoxingScene. “I’m hungry to stay here and get that world title shot and show the world that there should be a lot more of those kinds of performances coming from me.”
Standing in his way is the hard-hitting Norman, who is eager to replicate Santillan’s heroics. “Giovanni dog-walked and overpowered Rocha in that fight, but I am coming in to dominate myself,” the Georgia native said. “Whether it’s a war or a boxing match, I’m expecting to win. My defining fight is Giovanni, and I am not looking past him.”
“Whether it’s a war or a boxing match, I’m expecting to win. My defining fight is Giovanni, and I am not looking past him.” – Brian Norman
With Terence Crawford’s days at welterweight numbered, the victor of this clash will position themselves as the prime candidate to challenge for the full WBO title. Santillan is confident in his abilities, calling out the likes of Jaron Ennis, Eimantas Stanionis, and Mario Barrios as future targets at 147 pounds.
This ESPN-televised co-main event promises to showcase the new generation of welterweight talent, as one fighter will solidify their status as the division’s next big thing.
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