A slimmed-down Danny Green bid farewell to his Perth fans in grand style, defeating American Danny Santiago by technical knockout in five rounds in Wednesday night’s light-heavyweight clash at Challenge Stadium.
Green dominated the catchweight (84.9kg) bout, sending Santiago to the canvas on three occasions before unleashing a series of left hooks and jabs to end the bout with just seconds remaining in the fifth round.
The West Australian entered the bout on the back of losses to WBC cruiserweight champion Krzysztof Wlodarczyk and American Antonio Tarver.
The 39-year-old weighed around 90kg for those two fights, but looked far more comfortable at 84.4kg against Santiago, who couldn’t handle Green’s deadly combination of speed and power.
Green promoted the fight as his final bout in Perth, and was giving little away about what the future holds for him after the win.
“I’m just going to relax,” Green said after the win, before praising the parochial home crowd.
“I’ve worked my ass off and persevered and hung in there, and I’ve done it for you guys.”
Green also praised Santiago, who kept attacking and throwing punches despite copping a battering.
“I’ve knocked some people out, you should have been asleep with some of the shots you took tonight,” Green said.
“You’re one tough hombre.”
The win improves Green’s record to 32 wins (28KO) and five losses, while 39-year-old Santiago (31 wins, six losses) now faces an uncertain future.
Few meaningful blows were landed in the opening two rounds, but the fight exploded to life in the third when Green unleashed a left-right-left combination to knock an off-balance Santiago onto his backside.
Santiago beat the count and landed a nice blow of his own before the round finished, but even more drama was to come in the fourth round when Santiago twice hit the canvas.
The American first went down with a body blow, and later was almost sent rolling out of the ring when he copped a left roundhouse.
A wobbly Santiago again beat the count, and continued to throw punches.
But with Green landing the more meaningful blows, it was just a matter of time before the Australian would notch victory.
And it came in the fifth, with a series of short, left jabs and a short but powerful left hook again sending Santiago to the canvas – this time for good, with the referee waving off the fight.
Santiago was gracious in defeat, urging Green to hold off on retirement and continue his career.
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