Alex Santisima stops former world champion Oguni in Tokyo upset

Alex Santisima produced a major upset in Tokyo on August 16, stopping former world champion Yukinori Oguni in the eighth round at Korakuen Hall. The referee ended the contest after Santisima connected with a powerful right hand that badly shook the Japanese fighter.

Santisima began the bout with intent, applying pressure from the early rounds and repeatedly testing Oguni’s defence. Oguni, a world-rated boxer, responded with heavy punches as he attempted to disrupt Santisima’s momentum and take control of the fight.

The contest stayed competitive, with both fighters finding effective moments. Santisima nevertheless remained composed enough to stay in the fight and continued searching for openings against the experienced Oguni.

That opening came in round eight. Santisima’s right hand landed cleanly and had enough impact for the referee to intervene, bringing the bout to an end and handing the Filipino boxer a stoppage victory over a former world champion.

The result was especially significant because Santisima had entered as a heavy underdog against Oguni, who held a place among the world-rated fighters. His performance turned a difficult assignment into the most notable victory of the night at Korakuen Hall.

After the win, Santisima expressed gratitude to his family, trainer Michael Domingo, promoter Jim Claude Manangqul and manager Nobuyuki Matsuura. He said he would continue training, develop his abilities and prepare for a more demanding challenge in his next fight.