René Santiago

René Manuel Santiago García (born April 10, 1992) is a Puerto Rican professional boxer. He is a light-flyweight champion having held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) title since March 2025 and previously the World Boxing Association (WBA) title from 2025 to 2026.

Professional career Santiago turned professional in 2014 and compiled a record 12–3 before defeating Nicaraguan Kevin Vivas, to win the vacant WBO interim light-flyweight title.

Santiago challenged Jonathan Gonzalez for WBO light-flyweight title in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on 2 March 2024. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Santiago claimed the WBO light-flyweight title with a unanimous decision win over defending champion Shokichi Iwata at Ryōgoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan, on 13 March 2025.

Santiago's first defense was in an unification bout with the World Boxing Association’s (WBA) champion, Kyosuke Takami of Japan. Despite entering the fight as a 9–1 underdog, Santiago defeated Takami by split decision.

Professional boxing record