Rene Santiago is on a run of taking on some of the top junior flyweights from Asia and defeating them – it is how he won two world titles in the span of two fights in 2025.

And he wants to do it again.

Santiago, 16-4 (9 KOs), has traveled from his home in Puerto Rico to Tokyo, Japan, for his past three outings. 

In March 2025, he unanimously outpointed Shokichi Iwata to seize the WBO belt. Last December, Santiago beat Kyosuke Takami by split decision in a unification bout to add the WBA title. And in his most recent defense earlier this month, Santiago took a unanimous decision over former 105lbs beltholder Masataka Taniguchi.

Santiago paid close attention to the action Monday morning in Tokyo, where Thanongsak Simsri of Thailand successfully defended his IBF title with a sensational second-round obliteration of the previously undefeated Sergio Mendoza. This was the first defense for Simsri, who is now 40-1 (35 KOs).

“Respect to the champion for that great performance in the ring – but facing a true unified champion across the ring is a whole different story,” Santiago posted on social media. “You’re next. See you soon – very soon.”

As for the WBC world title at 108lbs, that belongs to the aforementioned Iwata, 16-2 (13 KOs), who scored an eighth-round TKO over Thammanoon “Knockout CP Freshmart” Niyomtrong last month. 

The WBC also has a “champion in recess,” Carlos Canizales, 28-3-1 (20 KOs). 

Canizales was robbed in his first fight with then-titleholder Panya “Petchmanee CP Freshmart” Pradabsri in December 2024 in Pradabsri’s hometown of Bangkok. But Canizales kept the rematch from going to the judges – even with the sequel taking place in Canizales’ native Venezuela – winning the WBC belt in August 2025 via fifth-round KO.

Alas, Canizales was demoted this past December. He was unable to leave his home country and travel to face Niyomtrong because of a travel ban in Venezuela caused by the threat of U.S. military action.

David Greisman, who has covered boxing since 2004, is on Twitter @FightingWords2. David’s book, “Fighting Words: The Heart and Heartbreak of Boxing,” is available on Amazon.