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Earlier this month, San Diego boxer Giovani Santillan orchestrated a dominant first-round knockout victory over Fredrick Lawson.
Now the 33-year-old “Gallo de Oro” is seeking more. Notably, a title shot.
“This is my life dream and I won’t stop until I get it,” said Santillan, who trains out of Riverside with the famed Roberto Garcia. “I know I can be a world champion. It was instilled in me early.”
Santillan’s fight before the win over Lawson was his first loss — and it was bloody.
Last May at Pechanga Arena, Brian Norman Jr. broke Santillan’s nose. The fighter walked out of the ring, his nose broken and face covered in blood, after 10 rounds of hard fighting.
In his next fight, Santillan (33-1,18 KOs) dropped Lawson in Round 1.
A right-hand combination and left hook dispatched Lawson before most folks had their popcorn ready.
Santillan, who grew up in Mira Mesa training with his father Guillermo, was realistic.
“That’s what you sign up for in this sport,” Santillan said. “(Norman Jr.) beat me. I got hit hard. But I hit back. It wasn’t my night. It wasn’t a loss, it was a lesson. I learned that night. I can be better from it. I still think I can be a champion. I’m resilient. That’s what this sport has taught me: I can overcome anything that happens to me. I can come back and fight.”
What’s next for Santillan, who is the ninth-ranked welterweight contender?
That’s up to the boxing Gods, who tend to be more fickle than the weather. Welterweight contenders like Jaron Ennis promise a big opportunity and a big payday.
“I want to be a champion,” Santillan said. “Whatever you put in front of me, I’ll fight. I lost my brother and now I have even more to fight for.”
Sockers settling in
The San Diego Sockers won 16 indoor championships at Pechanga Arena, and are now settling into new digs.
Their first match at the new arena was a memorable one. Luiz Moralez netted the game-winner on Saturday as the Sockers defeated Utica City FC in their first match played at Oceanside’s Frontwave Arena, their new home.
Coach Phil Salvagio called it “a tough but good win.”
“We thank everybody who supported us tonight at our new arena,” he said. “We appreciate our fans for helping us make this dream come true.”
The Sockers (1-1) host Tacoma (2-1) at 7:35 p.m. Friday.
Seals back home
The National Lacrosse League’s San Diego Seals (2-1) host the Georgia Swarm (2-0) Saturday night in a game featuring two of the best teams in indoor lacrosse.
It’s “Heroes Night” at Pechanga Arena, complete with $5 beers. The Seals are coming off a 14-11 win over the Colorado Mammoth.
Gulls head to Colorado
The American Hockey League’s San Diego Gulls (8-14-1-2) travel to the Colorado Eagles (12-8-1-2) this weekend. The first of back-to-back games starts Friday night. The club will then take a six-day break before returning home to take on the Ontario Reign Dec. 27 at Pechanga.
Clippers open Winter Showcase
The San Diego Clippers open play in the G League’s Winter Showcase Friday, when they take on the Long Island Nets at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. Tip-off for the showcase game is 10 a.m. San Diego time; the game will air on NBA TV.
The Clippers are 9-5, good for third place in the Showcase Cup’s West standings. The Nets are 2-12, owners of the second-worst record in the league.
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