Bob Santos will get the perfect from his fighters – they usually’re the primary to say it.
Santos’ teaching was on full show as he guided middleweight Jeison Rosario to a draw towards Jarrett Hurd, a struggle by which Rosario was a slight underdog. Santos’ motivation was pivotal, fueling Rosario within the second half after Hurd had edged the early rounds.
Santos, a staple within the sport for many years, gained widespread recognition in 2022 when he was named coach of the 12 months by a number of publications. Now thought to be an A-lister amongst boxing’s elite, he spends most of his time on the street, restoring careers, creating prospects, and guiding his fighters to success. Rosario, 29, with a document of 24-2-2 (18 KOs), initially from the Dominican Republic, mirrored on his latest expertise coaching with Santos.
“Coaching with Bob Santos has actually helped me rediscover my ardour and drive, which has revitalized my profession,” Rosario informed BoxingScene.
“My aim is to construct every fighter’s confidence by sharing the information I’ve gathered over time; it’s about displaying them what they’re able to,” Santos informed BoxingScene. “I give attention to fundamentals and the small particulars that make a giant distinction within the ring. Confidence grows after they see their abilities enhance.”
Junior middleweight Brian Mendoza, 30, 22-4 (16 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada, lately joined Santos’ camp. Though he hasn’t but fought with him, Mendoza praised Santos’ “old-school strategy.”
“Bob Santos has been serving to quite a bit,” Mendoza informed BoxingScene. “He focuses on the small particulars that most individuals overlook. He nonetheless has that old-school mentality, ensuring you’re turning over your knuckles and bringing your arms again to the suitable spot. It’s these delicate particulars that make an enormous distinction. He’s not altering my model however fine-tuning it, getting me to work my jab and inside recreation.”
Elijah Garcia, 21, 16-1 (13 KOs), a middleweight, lately had his first coaching camp with Santos following a split-decision loss to Kyrone Davis. “I’ve been studying quite a bit since I began with Bob,” Garcia stated. “Switching from my dad as head coach has been figuring out. My dad’s nonetheless a part of my nook, and collectively he and Bob make a terrific crew. Bob brings that big-fight expertise and no-nonsense angle, which is what I would like.”
Eros Correa, 31, 14-1 (9 KOs), relocated from San Jose, California, to Las Vegas to coach beneath Santos. The previous top-ranked newbie from the 2012 U.S. Olympic cycle stated, “Since I joined Santos, I’ve pushed myself to limits I didn’t know I had. He’s been instrumental in bringing the canine out of me.”
One among Santos’ standout prospects is Cuban heavyweight Dainier Pero, 25, 9-0 (7 KOs), whom Santos has in comparison with unified heavyweight titleholder Oleksandr Usyk. Pero spoke extremely of the partnership. “Working with Santos has been instrumental in my development as a fighter,” Pero defined. “Day-after-day within the gymnasium, I really feel I’m getting higher, and it’s displaying in my fights. He’s pushing me to be my finest.”
For Santos, all of it comes all the way down to his philosophy. “You possibly can’t purchase expertise, and I’ve been lucky to work with nice coaches and fighters over time,” he stated. “Each fighter is exclusive, and I tailor my teaching to deliver out their strengths whereas educating methods which have helped others succeed.”