Wilkins Santiago

that life isn’t all about gangs and messing around.”

Santiago now sees himself and where he is at now, and doesn’t want to let anybody down. “I have a lot of people that stood behind me,” Santiago said. “I don’t want to let them down, and I can’t let myself down first and foremost. I’m a fighter and I don’t believe in quitting.”

Santiago is not just ready to represent those who stood behind him. He wants to be an example for all Hispanics in the area and all youth in northeast Ohio.

Santiago was recently signed to a promotional deal by Warner Promotions, a new boxing promotional company based in Cleveland, and hopes that they can help him reach his goals. Warner Promotions president Antonio Castro clearly believes in Santiago as a person and a fighter. Not every fighter receives the opportunity to be promoted, but Santiago now gets his even before his first pro fight. That is plenty to tell about the quality of a fighter and skills which he possesses.

To be a professional fighter is something Santiago has always wanted. Yet over time, his perspective has changed. “A world title shot would be wonderful, who wouldn’t want it, but I want to also show kids to not give up,” Santiago said. “Life is not about giving up. I’m a living example. I took a fall, but I climbed back up.”

Santiago now considers himself a family man. He wakes up at 5:30 a.m. every morning for a 6 to 7 mile jog, he’s at work by 8 a.m., in the gym training at 5 p.m., and finally arrives at home around 8:30 p.m. “I’m not only doing it for me, I’m doing it for my kids. I ...