Abass Baraou Beats Giovani Santillan by Decision

Abass Baraou revived his world-title ambitions by outworking Giovani Santillan to earn a majority decision after ten hard-fought rounds at the Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California.

The former WBA super-welterweight champion was awarded scores of 97-93 and 96-94, with the third judge returning a 95-95 draw. It was not a unanimous verdict, but Baraou had done enough to deserve the decision and collect the vacant WBO Intercontinental super-welterweight title. The victory improved his record to 18-2 with nine knockouts, while Santillan fell to 35-2 with 18 stoppages.

Baraou’s greater activity and sharper work at close and middle range proved decisive. The German-based fighter kept advancing, worked his way inside and made Santillan fight at a pace that was frequently uncomfortable. His combinations were shorter and more economical, and he usually finished the exchanges.

Santillan, a southpaw, attempted to establish distance and catch Baraou as he came forward. He enjoyed success when he found room for his straight left and prevented the visitor from setting his feet, but those moments were not sustained often enough. Baraou was rarely discouraged and continued to close the gap, making the contest physical without allowing it to become untidy.

This was a demanding assignment for Santillan in front of his Southern California support. He had rebuilt with three victories following the brutal tenth-round knockout defeat by Brian Norman Jnr in their 2024 contest for the interim WBO welterweight crown. Having since moved up to 154lb, he entered this bout knowing victory would return him to the outskirts of another world-title opportunity.

Instead, it was Baraou who seized the opening. He arrived in California attempting to recover from January’s narrow split-decision defeat by Xander Zayas in their WBA and WBO unification bout. Although one judge had given Baraou that fight 116-112, the other two returned the same score for Zayas. It was the sort of result that can either drain a fighter or sharpen him. Baraou chose the latter course.

Santillan remained competitive throughout, and the 95-95 card was not beyond reason. He had spells in which his southpaw angles disrupted Baraou’s forward march, and his willingness to exchange ensured that the German could never coast. But Baraou’s pressure carried more purpose, and the two cards in his favour better reflected the balance of the contest.

There were no theatrical collapses or last-round miracles to simplify matters for the officials. Instead, they were required to separate two experienced contenders through ten rounds of closely contested work. Two managed it; one decided not to trouble himself.

For Baraou, this was an important away victory against a respected opponent fighting close to home. At 31, he remains a significant figure in a super-welterweight division crowded with champions, former champions and ambitious young contenders. He may not be first in the queue for another championship chance, but after this performance, he has made himself exceedingly difficult to ignore.

Baraou deserved the decision. He was the more purposeful fighter and, more importantly, the one who controlled where most exchanges took place. The official verdict was a majority decision, but I had no trouble seeing him as the winner.

Santillan wanted to work from his southpaw stance and catch Baraou coming through the front door, but he never established his feet properly or gave the German enough angles to think about. Too often, he moved in straight lines and allowed Baraou to close the distance without paying a proper entrance fee. Santillan landed some clean left hands, but isolated punches do not win a fight when the other fellow is putting his work together.

Baraou’s feet impressed me more than anything. He edged forward without rushing, kept himself balanced and was usually ready to punch when he arrived. His combinations were short, sensible and finished with enough authority to leave the judges with a clear picture. He also did the better work at close quarters, where Santillan was made to fight rather than being allowed to dictate.

Santillan was game and remained competitive, but I thought he looked a little ordinary. Since Brian Norman Jnr stopped him, something has been missing. The move up in weight has not solved it. He can still fight, but at this level you need more than toughness and a reliable left hand. You need to command the ring, and Baraou took that away from him.

After losing a tight decision to Xander Zayas, Baraou could have returned cautiously. He did the opposite. This was an assured away performance against a respected opponent near his own backyard. The majority-decision victory puts Baraou straight back among the serious contenders. He is not spectacular, but he is technically sound, physically strong and understands his job. That makes him a difficult night for anyone at the weight.