February 5: Joet Gonzalez-Jeo Santisima Featherweight Co-Feature Added to Ramirez-Pedraza Card

Joet Gonzalez, the Southern California featherweight contender who has
twice challenged for a world title, is primed for another run at the brass
ring. Gonzalez signed a multi-year promotional contract with Top Rank and
will return in a 10-round bout against Filipino former world title
challenger Jeo Santisima on Saturday, Feb. 5 at Save Mart Center in Fresno,
California.

Gonzalez-Santisima will serve as the co-feature to the 12-round junior
welterweight showdown between former unified champion Jose Ramirez and
Puerto Rican two-weight world champion Jose “Sniper” Pedraza.

Ramirez-Pedraza, Gonzalez-Santisima, the heavyweight professional debut of
U.S. Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr., and undercard bouts will
stream live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+.

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets starting at $36 are on sale now and can be
purchased at Ticketmaster.com
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“Joet Gonzalez is a fighter of tremendous character and one of the best
featherweights in the world. When he became available, it was a
no-brainer,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum.

“My last three fights have been on Top Rank cards, and they’ve always
treated me with respect. I can’t wait for my official debut under the Top
Rank banner,” Gonzalez said. “Jeo is a tough Filipino warrior, and this is
a great opportunity to prove I belong in the featherweight title
conversation. I want another title shot, and it all starts with an
impressive showing in Fresno.”

Gonzalez (24-2, 14 KOs), from Glendora, California, is ranked in the top 10
at featherweight by two sanctioning organizations. He received his first
world title shot in October 2019, dropping a unanimous decision to Shakur
Stevenson for the vacant WBO featherweight title. Nearly two years later,
he challenged Emanuel Navarrete for the same belt, and the two combined for
a Fight of the Year contender. While Gonzalez lost a unanimous decision, he
proved his mettle as one of the division’s most formidable contenders. He
bested Miguel Marriaga over 10 rounds on a *Top Rank on ESPN *card in
between the Stevenson and Navarrete fights.

Santisima (21-3, 18 KOs), from Aroroy, Philippines, lost two of his first
four pro bouts before a 17-fight winning streak earned him a shot at
Navarrete in February 2020 for the WBO junior featherweight world title. In
a high-profile setting on the Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder II undercard,
Santisima acquitted himself well, ultimately falling via 11th-round TKO. He
has won two straight by knockout in his home country since the Navarrete
defeat.