Gabriel Santisima Delivers Stunning Upset Over Subaru Murata in Tokyo
In a remarkable turn of events that defied expectations for Filipino boxers competing in Japan, Gabriel Santisima sent shockwaves through the boxing community by toppling hometown favorite Subaru Murata. Their World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia Pacific Super Bantamweight championship clash took place at the iconic Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, where Santisima emerged victorious through a unanimous decision.
A Surprising Victory Silences Japanese Crowd
The unexpected outcome left Japanese boxing fans in stunned silence as they witnessed their idol, Murata, suffer his first professional defeat. Entering the ring with an impressive undefeated record of 10-0, including 10 knockouts, Murata was widely anticipated to dominate. However, Santisima's resilience and strategic prowess turned the tide dramatically.
During the early rounds, Santisima appeared overwhelmed and struggled to find his footing in the intense exchange of punches. Yet, as the sixth round drew to a close, a perfectly timed left hook from Santisima connected squarely with Murata's jaw, marking a pivotal moment in the fight. This occurred after Murata unleashed a series of punches toward Santisima's face, inadvertently leaving his defense exposed.
The Turning Point and Judges' Verdict
From that point onward, the dynamics of the match shifted noticeably. Murata seemed to lose confidence and grew cautious of Santisima's counterattacks. After ten grueling rounds of combat, the three judges unanimously scored in favor of Santisima. Notably, boxing columnist Edward "Bungot sa Itoy" Ligas from Sports Ta, along with Thai judge Mekin Sumon, both recorded scores of 96-93 for Santisima. Japanese judge Takeru Okaniwa also sided with the Filipino, scoring 97-92.
This unanimous decision is particularly significant, as it dispels the common notion that visiting fighters must secure a knockout to avoid biased hometown rulings. Santisima's win was clear-cut and undeniable, leaving no room for dispute over the outcome.
Santisima's Determination and Coach's Influence
While some Filipino boxers have historically faced challenges in Japan, often succumbing to pressure or early setbacks, Santisima showcased exceptional determination. Despite enduring heavy punishment, he never considered surrendering, demonstrating unwavering resolve throughout the bout.
His trainer, Michael Domingo, played a crucial role in this triumph. Domingo, now recognized as the Filipino boxing coach with the most wins in Japan—including guiding Melvin Jerusalem to a world championship—emphasized the importance of training and motivation. In a post-fight statement, he highlighted, "Training is the foundation and motivation for a boxer." When asked how he motivated Santisima against Murata's formidable record, Domingo explained, "I constantly advised him to have ambition or goals in life to self-motivate and push harder in training, as he possesses boxing skills that could make him a world champion someday."
Domingo expressed no surprise at Santisima's performance, attributing it to what he observed during their rigorous training sessions. With this victory, Santisima improves his record to 10-1-1, including seven knockouts. If Santisima remains motivated by his coach's guidance, the future holds even greater promise, especially now that he holds a regional title.
Congratulations to Gabriel Santisima and Coach Michael Domingo on this impressive achievement. More wins are undoubtedly on the horizon as they continue to make their mark in the boxing world.
