Filipino super bantamweight prospect Alex Santisima Jr. delivered a career-defining performance on Sunday, August 16, scoring a stunning eighth-round technical knockout victory over former world champion Yukinori Oguni at the iconic Korakuen Hall.
Entering the 10-round contest as a massive underdog on foreign soil, the 26-year-old native of Aroroy, Masbate, immediately took the fight to the Japanese veteran. Santisima (14-2-0, 8 KOs) waged a grueling body-and-head assault, breaking down Oguni's defense over the middle rounds before dropping a decisive flurry in the eighth. A crisp combination to the head wobbled the former titleholder, prompting the referee to step in and stop the bout at 1:08 of Round 8.
The victory carries added significance given Oguni’s reputation as a formidable "Filipino slayer" in the lower weight classes, having previously bested high-profile opponents including former unified world champion Marlon Tapales and a disputed draw against 3-weight division world champion John Riel Casimero. Santisima's triumph makes him the first Filipino fighter to break Oguni’s long-standing dominance against opposition from the Philippines.
With the win, Santisima inherits the momentum—and likely the position—of a decorated contender. The RING Magazine has already slotted Santisima at No. 10 in its super bantamweight rankings, directly replacing Oguni. Furthermore, with Oguni (24-5-3, 9 KOs) previously holding high placements—WBO No. 6, WBA No. 11, and WBC No. 12—Santisima is positioned to inherit those spots in the major sanctioning bodies' next official monthly updates.
The victory further elevates one of the Philippines’ premier fighting siblings. Based out of Cebu with ZIP Sanman Promotions, Santisima joins an elite brotherhood: his older brother, Jeo Santisima, is a former world title challenger, while his brother Gabriel currently reigns as the WBO Asia Pacific super bantamweight champion.
Photo (L-R): Promoter JC Mananquil, Alex Santisima Jr, Trainer Michael Domingo and Manager Marivic Matsuura pose during Santisima's victory over Oguni in Tokyo on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026.
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