Bob Santos (boxing trainer)

Last updated
Bob Santos
Born
Robert Allen Santos

San Jose, California
Known forBoxing trainer, manager, cutman
Relatives Luis Molina (cousin)
Awards2022 Trainer of the Year

Robert "Bob" Santos is an American boxing trainer, [1] manager, [2] and cutman. He was named Trainer of the Year [3] [4] by both The Ring [5] and Sports Illustrated in 2022, [6] [7] [8] and is a well-known member of the boxing community. [9] [10]

Contents

Early life and education

Santos was originally from San Jose, California, [3] [10] where he graduated from San José High School at 17. His connection to boxing came through his family, especially through his maternal cousin, Luis Molina, who competed as a lightweight in the 1956 Summer Olympics. [11]

Career

Santos started working in construction after graduating high school, and in his early 20s became involved in coaching with featherweight titlist Héctor Lizárraga and trainers Joe Amato and Eddie Devine. [11] Other trainers who influenced him include Joe Goossen, Emanual Steward, Ronnie Shields, Ruben Guerrero, Joe Chávez, and Chuck Bodak. [8]

In 2022, Santos trained Dominican junior lightweight Hector Luis Garcia, who secured upset victories over Chris Colbert [12] in February and Roger Gutierrez in August. He also guided Dominican heavy underdog Alberto Puello [13] to the WBA junior welterweight title and Carlos Adames [14] to an interim middleweight belt. [11] Additionally, Santos worked with multi-division titleholder Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero [1] [2] [4] and junior middleweight/middleweight veteran Erislandy Lara. [10]

Santos has worked with notable names, including Joel Casamayor, David Morrell Jr., [15] Mario Barrios, [16] [17] Rances Barthelemy, Tomoki Kameda, Livingstone Bramble, Eros Correa, and Jose Celaya. Other boxers he was involved with include top contender Luis Nunez, [18] Cuban Olympian brothers Lenier and Dainier Pero, [19] WBA minimum world champion Erick Rosa, [20] and Amilcar Vidal. [8]

Awards

In 2022, Santos was awarded Trainer of the Year by Ring Magazine and Sports Illustrated. [7] He was also nominated for the Boxing Writers Association of America's 2022 Trainer of the Year. [21] [22]

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References

  1. 1 2 Ketelle, Lukie (2022-12-20). "2022 Boxing Trainer Of The Year: Bob Santos". Inside the Ropes Boxing – Your #1 source for boxing news. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  2. 1 2 Johns, Marquis (2021-04-29). "Demler "DJ" Zamora III Signs Management Deal With Bob Santos". Big Fight Weekend. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  3. 1 2 Ketelle, Lucas (2024-03-18). "Trainer Bob Santos Credits Early Experiences, Club Shows for Success". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  4. 1 2 Mannix, Chris (2022-12-30). "Boxing Awards 2022: Best Women's Fighter, Top Trainer and More". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  5. ↑ Wright, Branson (2023-03-22). "Stephen 'Breadman' Edwards is training pro boxers his way". Andscape. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  6. ↑ Mulvaney, Kieran (2023-03-27). "Santos Praises Benavidez for Plant Win, Hopes Morrell Can Be Next". proboxtv.com. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  7. 1 2 Resendiz, Johnny (2023-12-09). "Former reality TV star Albert Ochoa looking to take over boxing". Channel 13 Las Vegas News KTNV. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  8. 1 2 3 "Bob Santos 2022 Ring Magazine and Sports Illustrated Trainer of the Year". philboxing.com. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  9. ↑ Mishra, Mrinal (2023-04-22). "Bob Santos Makes an Intriguing Prediction About the Upcoming Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz Showdown". EssentiallySports. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  10. 1 2 3 Santoliquito, Joseph. "Trainer of the Year". The Ring. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  11. 1 2 3 Santoliquito, Joseph (2022-11-03). "Bob Santos might be the best trainer you've never heard of". The Ring. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  12. ↑ "Hector Garcia Trainer Bob Santos Discusses Gervonta Davis Fight - Latest Boxing News". www.boxing247.com. 2023-01-02. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  13. ↑ "Back working with Bob Santos in Las Vegas Mario "El Azteca" Barrios promises fireworks for hometown fans when he takes on Jovanie Santiago". britishboxingnews.co.uk. 2023-02-02. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  14. ↑ Woods, Michael (2023-03-16). "Top Trainers Look At Caleb Plant-David Benavidez Fight - NY FIGHTS". nyfights.com. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  15. ↑ "David Morrell Jr's Coach Wants Benavidez, Sees Him As Less Talented - Boxing News 24". www.boxingnews24.com. 2023-05-02. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  16. ↑ Eskdale, Jamie (2024-04-14). "Mario Barrios' Team Claims They Were Game For "Boots" - Boxing News 24". www.boxingnews24.com. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  17. ↑ Whisler, John. "Mario Barrios' trainer blames foe for 'not trying to win'". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  18. ↑ Kelly, Jack (2023-09-28). "Albert Ochoa signs managerial contract with Team Santos, Eyes pro debut in future". Inside the Ropes Boxing – Your #1 source for boxing news. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  19. ↑ "Boxing to 'Fear' best heavyweight brothers since the Klitschko's". World Boxing News. 2023-12-22. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  20. ↑ "Unbeaten Cuban heavyweight contender Lenier Pero to now train under Bob Santos in Las Vegas". BoxeoMundial- La Meca del Boxeo. 2022-09-08. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  21. ↑ JSantoliquito (2023-01-09). "The BWAA Announces Its 2022 Annual Award Winners". boxingwriters. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  22. ↑ Magasela, Bongani (2022-12-22). "South African boxing trainer Colin Nathan nominated for prestigious award". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
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