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Joet Gonzalez
vs. Jeo Santisima Featherweight Co-Feature Added To Ramirez
vs. Pedraza Feb. 5 Card
Joet Gonzalez, the Southern California featherweight
contender who has twice challenged for a world title, is
primed for another run at the brass ring. Gonzalez signed a
multi-year promotional contract with Top Rank and will
return in a 10-round bout against Filipino former world
title challenger Jeo Santisima on Saturday, Feb. 5 at Save
Mart Center in Fresno, California.
Gonzalez-Santisima will serve as the co-feature to the
12-round junior welterweight showdown between former unified
champion Jose Ramirez and Puerto Rican two-weight world
champion Jose “Sniper” Pedraza.
Ramirez-Pedraza, Gonzalez-Santisima, the heavyweight
professional debut of U.S. Olympic silver medalist Richard
Torrez Jr., and undercard bouts will stream live and
exclusively in the United States on ESPN+.
“Joet Gonzalez is a fighter of tremendous character and one
of the best featherweights in the world. When he became
available, it was a no-brainer,” said Top Rank chairman Bob
Arum.
“My last three fights have been on Top Rank cards, and
they’ve always treated me with respect. I can't wait for my
official debut under the Top Rank banner,” Gonzalez said.
“Jeo is a tough Filipino warrior, and this is a great
opportunity to prove I belong in the featherweight title
conversation. I want another title shot, and it all starts
with an impressive showing in Fresno.”
Gonzalez (24-2, 14 KOs), from Glendora, California, is
ranked in the top 10 at featherweight by two sanctioning
organizations. He received his first world title shot in
October 2019, dropping a unanimous decision to Shakur
Stevenson for the vacant WBO featherweight title. Nearly two
years later, he challenged Emanuel Navarrete for the same
belt, and the two combined for a Fight of the Year
contender. While Gonzalez lost a unanimous decision, he
proved his mettle as one of the division’s most formidable
contenders. He bested Miguel Marriaga over 10 rounds on a
Top Rank on ESPN card in between the Stevenson and Navarrete
fights.
Santisima (21-3, 18 KOs), from Aroroy, Philippines, lost two
of his first four pro bouts before a 17-fight winning streak
earned him a shot at Navarrete in February 2020 for the WBO
junior featherweight world title. In a high-profile setting
on the Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder II undercard, Santisima
acquitted himself well, ultimately falling via 11th-round
TKO. He has won two straight by knockout in his home country
since the Navarrete defeat.
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