Mario Santiago Figueroa was born on July 13,1978 and is a Puerto Rican professional boxer.
17 Facts About Mario Santiago
1.
2.
Mario Santiago Figueroa started boxing when he was seven years old, in his hometown of Ponce, Puerto Rico.
3.
Mario Santiago was trained by his late uncle Edwin and his father Mario Santiago, Sr.
4.
Mario Santiago Figueroa did not enter an amateur tournament until he was 15 years old.
5.
Mario Santiago's first fight was for the Puerto Rico Southern Region Amateur Title which he won.
6.
Mario Santiago caught the eye of the Puerto Rico National Team trainers and seven fights later he was fighting abroad with the National team at the age of 16.
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Mario Santiago went on to represent Puerto Rico in many amateur tournaments including the 1999 Pan-Am games in Canada where he lost a close decision for the bronze medal.
8.
Mario Santiago Figueroa competed on the 2000 Olympic Trials but did not qualify and opted to turn pro in 2000.
9.
Mario Santiago Figueroa debuted as a professional in 2000 under the direction of Felix Trinidad Sr.
10.
Mario Santiago was part of the Trinidad Stable which at the time included former World Champions Felix Trinidad, Nelson Dieppa, Alex Sanchez, and title contenders Fres Oquendo, Carlos Quintana and Daniel Seda.
11.
Mario Santiago Figueroa was signed by Don King Productions until Felix Trinidad retired in 2002.
12.
Mario Santiago was released and was left with no management.
13.
Mario Santiago's next scheduled match was against Daniel Attah in a fight that took place on March 10,2007, in Ponce.
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Mario Santiago won the fight by technical knockout in the ninth round.
15.
Mario Santiago lost his first fight on July 28,2007, in a fight against Hector Velazquez.
16.
Mario Santiago remained inactive until February 1,2008, when he was scheduled to fight Edel Ruiz, whom he defeated by knockout in the first round.
17.
Luevano landed 215 of 641 punches while Mario Santiago connected on 214 of 835.