Takami vs Santiago Predictions: First-time champs look to unify in Japan

WBA light flyweight champion Kyosuke Takami looks to unify his belt against WBO titlist Rene Santiago this Wednesday, December 17. The fight takes place at Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo, Japan. There is no word on a UK broadcast partner at this time.

Here are my Takami vs Santiago predictions.

Takami vs Santiago Odds

Takami is 2/11 to secure the victory in his homeland. Santiago is priced at 9/2 for the away win while the draw is 16/1.

Takami vs Santiago Fight Preview

The champion Takami has had 10 pro fights and has scored eight wins by knockout. He is just 23 years of age. Even in Japan, which is going through a boom period in world level boxing, this kid stands out.

Takami’s title-winning venture came last time out, when he faced Erick ‘Mini PacMan’ Rosa. Naming yourself after Manny Pacquiao is a brave act, but stylistically there are parallels. Rosa came at Takami with aggression behind a southpaw lead, looking to throw fast shots to head and body in close.

Rosa had success early on with this approach, before Takami began to outlast him. The body shots came with less pop and were now trailed by the Japanese challenger’s counters. Rosa reeled in the ninth under a Takami attack. In the 10th, Takami closed the show with a vicious right hook that sent Rosa careering into the corner. A superb knockout ending to a tricky fight.

Takami gets another awkward encounter here. Santiago is the underdog, but he is also a worthy champion in his own right. 

Until this year, it looked like Santiago had hit his ceiling. A unanimous decision defeat to then-WBO champion Jonathan Gonzalez in 2024 saw ‘El Chulo’ slump to 12-4. The Puerto Rican had plateaued at gatekeeper status. A test for those ascending and descending from the mountaintop, doomed never to plant his flag within its rocky surface.

But a win over veteran former WBA interim title challenger Ricardo Astuvilca unlocked the door to an unlikely crack at WBO champion Shokichi Iwata. A big underdog going in, Santiago soaked up early pressure before gritting his way to a wide unanimous decision in Japan.

Santiago is the underdog again. Not only that, but he faces another home fighter in the very same arena where he claimed his WBO belt. The odds may not be in his favour, but if Santiago is a superstitious man then he must love where the omens are steering this fight.

For the agnostics amongst you, it will be hard to look past Takami. A superstar in the making. The latest fiery fist-flinger from Japan to pick up a world title in this Inoue-indebted boom period for boxing in the country. This lad looks like a serious prospect and by the end of the night, we could be calling him ‘double-champ’.

Takami vs Santiago Full Card

Anthony Olascuaga vs Taku Kuwahara

Kyosuke Takami vs Rene Santiago

Seiya Tsutsumi vs Nonito Donaire

Seigo Yuri Akui vs Vencent Lacar

Tsuyoshi Nishimoto vs Yu Ezaki

Takami vs Santiago Prediction

It will be interesting to see how the early rounds pan out between two men who won their world titles after starting slow and warming into their respective contests. 

One expects Takami to take the early initiative, given his youth and speed. That explosiveness could be used to unsettle Santiago.

Equally, the most effective underdogs usually plant doubt in their opponent’s mind early doors. Will Santiago look to trounce on the procession and cause restlessness in the Japanese crowd?

What is being tested here is their championship temperaments. Great challengers do not always make great champions. This is a first defence for both men. Who will rise to the occasion?

I think Takami has what it takes. The physical gifts. The fact he has been in less taxing fights than Santiago. That blistering speed. I like Takami to prevail and become the first man to stop Santiago at 10/11.

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