(June 23, 2021) —Welsh flyweight contender Jay Harris needs one more victory to receive a second crack at world title glory. Harris will take on Ricardo Sandoval in a 12-round IBF world title eliminator this Friday, June 25 from Bolton, England.
 
The co-feature will see former bantamweight world champion Paul Butler fight Mexican veteran Willibaldo Garcia in a 10-rounder for the vacant WBO International bantamweight title.
 
Harris-Sandoval and Butler-Garcia will headline a scheduled five-fight stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ starting at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT.
 
Harris (18-1, 9 KOs) was one half of one of 2020’s best fights when he dropped a unanimous decision to Julio Cesar Martinez for the WBC flyweight world title. He returned in fine form last October, topping Marcel Braithwaite via unanimous decision to move up the rankings and into this title eliminator. Sandoval (18-1, 13 KOs), from Montclair, California, has won 14 consecutive bouts, including five straight by stoppage. He last fought in February 2020 and knocked out Filipino veteran Raymond Tabugon in seven rounds.
 
WBO No. 2 bantamweight contender Butler (32-2, 15 KOs) won the IBF bantamweight world title in 2014, then vacated the belt to challenge Zolani Tete for the IBF junior bantamweight world title. He fell to Tete via eighth-round stoppage but is 15-1 in the six-plus years since, winning regional titles at both junior bantamweight and bantamweight. Garcia (12-4-1, 6 KOs) is 11-1-1 since a 1-3 start to his career, with his only defeat in that stretch coming via majority decision to former world title challenger Alejandro Santiago Barrios. This will be his first fight outside of Mexico.
 
In other streaming action on ESPN+:

• Dublin-born junior welterweight prospect Pierce O’Leary (6-0, 2 KOs) will make his second appearance of 2021 against Czech veteran Jan Marsalek (8-3, 7 KOs) in a six-rounder. Marsalek last fought on the Canelo Alvarez-Billy Joe Saunders undercard in May and knocked down unbeaten prospect Kelvin Davis, ultimately losing a four-round unanimous decision.
   
• Undefeated lightweight contender Gary Cully (12-0, 6 KOs), who is coming off a March stoppage victory over Viktor Kotochigov, will fight Viorel Simion (22-5, 9 KOs) in a 10-rounder. Simion is a 15-year pro who has fought the likes of Shakur Stevenson, Lee Selby and Scott Quigg.
   
• In a 10-round eliminator for the British light heavyweight title, Hosea Burton (25-2, 11 KOs) will face Liam Conroy (18-6-1, 9 KOs), who has participated in a number of notable all-action brawls over the years. Burton and Conroy are each looking to bounce back from defeats suffered in MTK Global’s Golden Contract tournament. 

About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 13.8 million subscribers.
 
Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $5.99 a month (or $59.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu for $12.99/month (Hulu w/ads) or $18.99/month (Hulu w/o ads). 
 

Promoter Paco Damian of Paco Presents promised a night of action and delivered in spades last night (Monday, September 21, 2020) in Tijuana as he, Don Chargin Productions and Fabrica De Campeones presented their “SANTIAGO VS. GARCIA” event via livestream on FITE.TV and Global Sports Streaming (GSS).

In the main event, former world title challenger and WBC #8 bantamweight Alejandro “Peque” Santiago survived an all-out spirited challenge from countryman Willibaldo Garcia to successfully defend his WBC International Bantamweight Championship via 10-round majority decision.

Known for pulling off surprising upsets against heavily favored opposition, Santiago quickly found himself in danger of suffering the same kind of loss against the free-swinging and apparently tireless Garcia. Staying poised, Santiago (22-2-5, 11 KOs) picked his shots and was able to do the more effective work in a majority of the action-packed rounds.

Despite his now 10-4-1, 5 KOs record, Garcia, of Copala, Guerrero, Mexico, made a strong account of himself. Throwing non-stop wild haymakers from awkward angles for all 10 rounds, he made the world-rated Santiago earn his pay. By the final round, Santiago was cut above one eye and marked up around the other.

To his credit, Santiago made adjustments throughout and put together eye-popping combinations several times per-round.

The scores were 97-94 and 96-94 Santiago. The third judge saw it a draw, 95-95.

In a thrilling co-main event war, Victor “Chucky” Sandoval of Tijuana moved his impressive record to 34-3 (22 KOs) with a last-second tenth-round TKO of a determined Kevin Villanueva (16-3-3 (12 KOs).

Moving in and out skillfully, Sandoval was able to unload bomb after bomb against the seemingly impervious Villanueva.

Guasave, Sinaloa’s Villanueva walked through the hellacious fire to land bombs of his own in an attempt to pressure and wear down his more technically gifted opponent.

With Sandoval seemingly cruising to a comfortable, but not easy, decision victory, he finally broke through the iron jaw of Villanueva, trapping him in the corner and unloading the finishing volley with 10 seconds left in the fight.

The thrilling victory gained Sandoval the vacant WBC International Silver Super Flyweight title.

Super featherweight Cristian “Lacandonsito” Cruz (13-5, 6 KOs) of Tijuana continued his now 11-fight winning streak and looked very impressive while beating countryman Diego “FlaKO” Aleman (12-2-1, 8 KOs) by unanimous eight-round decision.

Cruz, the son of former IBO and IBF Featherweight Champion Cristóbal “Lacandón” Cruz, utilized his hand and foot speed to move in and out of danger while throwing hard combinations. He dropped Aleman twice while cruising to an 80-70, 78-72 and 79-71 verdict.

23-year-old Cruz got off to a rough start in his career but looks to have done the homework needed to become a legitimate prospect at super feather.

In the opening bout of the night, Los Mochis, Sinaloa’s Bryan Luna moved to (6-0, 3 KOs) with a unanimous shutout decision over Ensenada, Baja California Felipe Ayon (now 1-1-1, 1 KO). The scores were 40-36 from all three judges in a bout that was more exciting than the scores indicate.

For more information on Paco Presents, please go to our website at pacopresentsboxing.com. Follow us on Twitter at @PacoPresentsBox, Instagram @PacoPresents, as well as like us on Facebook at facebook.com/PacoPresentsBoxing.

Former world title challenger and WBC #8 bantamweight Alejandro “Peque” Santiago says despite the challenges of training in a pandemic, he is more than ready to continue his campaign to finally claim a world championship.

A professional underdog, Santiago (21-2-5, 11 KOs) has no less than five controversial draws on his record, including one in a challenge for IBF Super Flyweight World Champion Jerwin Ancajas’ belt in 2018.

Tijuana’s Santiago will return home on Monday, September 21, 2020, to defend his WBC International Bantamweight Championship against streaking contender Willibaldo Garcia (10-3-1, 5 KOs) of Copala, Guerrero, Mexico, in the 10-round main event of “SANTIAGO VS. GARCIA,” promoted by Don Chargin Productions, Paco Presents Boxing and Fabrica De Campeones.

A five-fight night of world-class professional boxing, “SANTIAGO VS. GARCIA” will be livestreamed for just $6.99 on FITE.TV and Global Sports Streaming (GSS) at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT.

24-year-old Santiago has made a career out of surprising his favored opponents in their backyards. First battling to a 10-round draw with then undefeated Antonio Nieves for the NABO Championship on ShoBox: The New Generation. Next came two controversial draws against highly touted Puerto Rican Jose Martinez in Martinez’s backyard of Puerto Rico, the second for the NABO Super Flyweight Championship. Then came his highest profile draw in September 2018, this time against Jerwin Ancajas, where one judge scored the fight 118-111 for Santiago.

Anything changed from your usual training camps because of Covid?

Many things changed for this camp. Our gym closed, so it was a bit difficult to find sparring, however, just like in a fight we made adjustments and adapted. That is what champions do.

What do you know about your opponent?

I know that he is tough and comes to fight. He will be very well prepared to face me on September 21.

Are you a bantamweight now or would you go back down to super flyweight?
I feel that I’ve waited long enough for any of the champions at 115 to face me. I felt strong during my last fight at bantamweight, but if the right opportunity presents itself, I can move back down to 115 lbs.

You’ve had a lot of controversial outcomes in your career. What do you think your professional record should be?

I feel like all five of the draws on my record should have been wins. I should be 26-2 and a world champion.

Why do you think you are not getting close decisions?

Because I have been the ‘B’ side for all of them. Complaining doesn’t do any good though, so I am working very hard to apply to be a lot more aggressive and win rounds without any doubt.

Does it feel good to be fighting at home?

It’s always good to fight in Tijuana. But I also love the challenge of fighting outside my comfort zone. It motivates me.

What are your goals for the next year?

My goal is to fight for the world championship again and win it this time.

In the night’s 10-round co-main event, Victor “Chucky” Sandoval (33-3, 21 KOs) will take on fellow Mexican Kevin “Desvalagado” Villanueva (16-2-3, 12 KOs) for the WBC International Super Flyweight Championship.

Also scheduled for action that night is a fantastic early crossroads fight between up-and-coming Mexican prospects as the ever-improving Cristian “Lacandonsito” Cruz (12-5, 6 KOs), the son of former IBO and IBF Featherweight Champion Cristóbal “Lacandón” Cruz, will face once-beaten Diego “FlaKO” Aleman (12-1-1, 8 KOs) in an eight-round super featherweight war. This fight, between all-action battlers, has potential “Fight of the Night” written all over it.

FITE.TV is the premiere digital network for direct-to-consumer digital live streaming for combat sports, specializing in professional wrestling, mixed martial arts and boxing events. To millions of fans around the world, FITE.TV streams a rich array of live pay-per-view events, subscription packages and thousands of hours of live and on-demand free programs with a mission to help fans discover and watch premium live events. FITE.TV is the leading digital distributor for the industry’s marquee events, including AEW, Impact, WWE, KSI-Logan Paul 2 from Matchroom, Canelo vs GGG 1 & 2 from GBP / HBO, Pacquiao-Thurman from PBC / Fox, Top Rank / ESPN PPV, ROH, BKFC, NWA, GCW, ONE, Combate, RIZIN, MOTO FITE Klub and FMX FITE Klub, Rumble on the Rooftop, Major Concerts, Tennis, Basketball, Soccer events and more.

Global Sports Streaming (GSS), founded by Armando Bareno, is a state-of-the-art streaming service for combat sports promoters and sports organizations. GSS, similar to Netflix or ESPN+ but much more ambitious and innovative, has the infrastructure in place to help combat-sport promotional companies deal with the new reality of COVID-19. GSS has a full line up of Boxing, Muay Thai, MMA, and new to GSS basketball the remainder of 2020. Emmy Award winner Courtney Perna anchors a new show on GSS called “Before the Bell.” GSS has also formed great partnerships with Fight Hub TV, bringing live fights to their 850,000+ subscribers along with Abrams Boxing on YouTube.

For more information on Paco Presents, please go to our website at pacopresentsboxing.com. Follow us on Twitter at @PacoPresentsBox, Instagram @PacoPresents, as well as like us on Facebook at facebook.com/PacoPresentsBoxing.