"I just want to take it all in and August 2nd show everyone that I belong in this. This is what I've been doing since I was a kid. I had my ups and downs in life where I stagnated a little bit and I went away for some time, but I'm back in motion. I believe that you go through things in life for a reason. I've learned from it and I'm ready to go to the next level," stated undefeated up-and-coming jr. middleweight Wilkins Santiago, who talked about training out of Virgil Hunter's gym, his next fight, his future plans, and much more. Check it out!
PC: You have took your game to the west coast my man. Tell us about it!
WS: Well, you know, things back home are kind of slow, especially on the boxing side. Ain't really nothing there, so I had to bring my tools to the west coast where it's really happening, man. I'm surrounding myself around talent because I feel like I'm one as well. So we just grinding, man; busy. God works in mysterious ways and look where I'm at right now. I'm training next to the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world [Andre Ward] and I'm at a loss for words to just be put in this position and being able to train next to the guy that's basically on top of the world in this boxing game. We just taking it day by day, putting in hard work and getting ready for the next fight in August.
PC: What has your first days with Virgil Hunter been like?
WS: It's been amazing, man. Virgil's name and resume speaks for itself. He's got the number one fighter pound-for-pound in the world. So just to be around this guy and acknowledge what they do daily and be a part of it, because not a lot of people even know where Virgil Hunter's gym is at. He relocated and it's hard to find. It's an honor to be training with this guy and under this guy's roof. He's one of the top trainers in the world and they seen something in me. So I decided to pick my tools up and come out to the west coast to the Bay Area and make something happen. I'm 34 years old; my time is ticking. I took it for what it's worth. I'm just humbled and grateful that I'm in this position that I am in today.
PC: Virgil is not a "scream in your face" type of coach; he's more of a cerebral trainer. Is that what you needed at this point in your career?
WS: Definitely. I felt the vibe when I got in there. I'm in there with Angulo, Abner Mares, Andre Ward, and Andre Berto, and all these guys training in there and the feeling I felt when I walked in there, I felt like I was at home. Virgil just opened his arms and told me he was honored to have me in the gym and that he had heard good things about me. He knows the type of man I am. He knew stuff about me that I had forgot about. It's just amazing and I'm just taking it all in and letting it all soak in and I continue to roll with the punches. He's definitely someone who is very respectful and very humble and, like I said, he's got "SOG" and that speaks for itself. He is a real humble dude too. It's hard to even put into words the feeling that I feel and it's something that I've been waiting my whole life for and it's finally here. God opened the door for me for a reason. I believe everything happens in life for a reason and I'm here. I'm here in a stable where I feel I belong.
PC: You are coming off of a controversial draw in which a lot of people felt you won. What was that experience like, because that's the first blemish on your record?
WS: Well, you know the judges have their own opinions on fights. Everyone thought I won it and I thought I won it, but I respect the judges. I don't have anything bad to say about any judge. It's what they are there to do, but either way, I thought I won and my team thought we won and my opponent even said he felt he was off that night, but it is what it is. I take it to the chin and keep going forward and allow God to continue to work on my behalf and let me get to where I need to get and obviously he placed me where I'm at today for a reason, which is here with Virgil Hunter and the "OG" Bobby Warren, who was Virgil Hunter's mentor growing up and basically gave Virgil the in and outs of boxing. He is really the one working on my side because Virgil is under contract. But Virgil oversees everything and he gives me input on things he sees me doing and corrects mistakes I'm making. But other than that, we are just ecstatic to be where we're at today.
PC: What are you looking to showcase in this fight?
WS: I come to throw down and I always come to represent Ohio. Ohio is where I was raised at and I send a shout out to Puerto Rico and now Cali. I gotta represent Cali because they opened their arms up to me and allowed me to display my talents to the Bay Area where it's all happening. So I just want to take it all in and August 2nd show everyone that I belong in this. This is what I've been doing since I was a kid. I had my ups and downs in life where I stagnated a little bit and I went away for some time, but I'm back in motion. I believe that you go through things in life for a reason. I've learned from it and I'm ready to go to the next level.
PC: I wish you the best in August and with your new camp. Is there anything else you want to add?
WS: I just want to send a big shout out to Ohio and my family at home. My girl at home, my fiancé, I actually proposed to her before I left. She holding it down for me, man. She's keeping my kid and she's a beautiful woman in and out. I appreciate her stepping up to the plate and acknowledging this is my career and this is what I do. She has my back and holds me down and makes sure everything is structured the right way while I'm gone and chasing my dream. So shout out to my girl Megan; I love her and my kids, I love you guys, and I do this every day for you. My fans are always number one in my heart. Thank you guys for covering us because without you guys, people wouldn't know my side of the story. I thank Virgil Hunter and his team and my manager, Eddie Gonzales; he's making moves for me and my coaches back at home who formed this all, Freddie Barriero and Sammy Aponte, they brought me up since a kid.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]