The WBA Championship Committee has officially ordered the mandatory bout between its light flyweight champion René Santiago and the WBA top-ranked contender, Daiya Kira. The sanctioning body issued formal notification to the respective teams of both fighters, granting a thirty-day negotiation period to reach terms for the bout. Said period will expire on June 2nd, 2026 Santiago is a unified champion who won the WBA title on December 17, 2025. Santiago is on a spectacular run. But little over a year ago, he seemed to be a journeyman who was fortunate to get a title shot. Then he upset shokichi Iwata in March 2025 to win the WBO title and followed that up with a title unification win vs. Kyosuke Takami later in 2025. He launched his 2026 campaign with a third road win in Japan, this time over ex-champ Masataka Taniguchi. Kira is mostly unknown, with a pro record of just 4-0.
According to the WBA, Santiago's mandatory defense has been overdue since April 16th, and he is therefore required to face Kira. Furthermore, under WBA Rule C.13, Santiago may not engage in a contest against a boxer who is not the official challenger within sixty (60) days following the expiration of the mandatory defense period. Should the parties fail to reach an agreement within the established timeframe, or if either party refuses to execute the contract, the WBA has the right to proceed to a purse bid in accordance with its internal regulations.
PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE
APRIL 6, 2026: Puerto Rico's René “El Chulo” Santiago added to his legacy as a Japanese spoiler by successfully defending his unified WBA and WBO light flyweight world titles with a unanimous decision victory over former champion Masataka Taniguchi. The high-level tactical battle took place Friday, April 3rd at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall, marking Santiago’s third consecutive win on Japanese soil. After twelve rounds, the judges confirmed Santiago’s command with scores of 117-110, 116-111 and 114-113, all in favor of the defending champion. With the victory, Santiago improves to 16-4 with 9 knockouts and joins fellow standouts like Oscar Collazo and Xander Zayas as part of the new wave of Puerto Rican fighters holding unified world titles. Taniguchi, a former 105-pound title holder, falls to 21-6.
The bout unfolded in two distinct phases. In the early rounds, Taniguchi used his southpaw stance and superior hand speed to trouble the champion, landing sharp combinations that gave him a slight edge on the scorecards. However, the turning point came in the fifth round, when Santiago landed a perfectly timed counter right hook that sent the Japanese fighter to the canvas. Though Taniguchi rose quickly, the knockdown dramatically shifted the momentum and psychology of the fight. From that moment on, “El Chulo” took full control. Showcasing ring IQ and composure, the Humacao native relied on lateral movement and a tight defensive shell to neutralize the challenger’s offense. In the championship rounds, Santiago displayed excellent conditioning, maintaining his punch output while avoiding the kind of risky exchanges Taniguchi desperately needed to turn the tide.
DEC. 18, 2025: Puerto Rico’s Rene Santiago delivered one of the most significant victories of his career, edging Japan’s Kyosuke Takami by split decision to capture the WBA light flyweight in a hard-fought battle at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. The scorecards reflected the razor-thin margins of the contest: 117-111 and 115-113 for Santiago, while one judge saw it 116-112 for Takami. The bout unified Santiago’s WBA crown with the WBO title already in his possession. It was a clash of styles from the opening bell. Takami, unbeaten going in and widely regarded as one of Japan’s emerging talents, sought to impose his trademark aggression, pressing forward behind a stiff jab and digging combinations to the body. Santiago, however, displayed poise and tactical maturity, relying on footwork, rhythm changes, and sharp counterpunching to blunt the local favorite’s advances.
Takami attempted to cut off the ring and force exchanges, but the Puerto Rican answered with straight shots upstairs and well-timed hooks that repeatedly checked the champion’s momentum. The fight remained competitive through the early rounds, though Santiago began to seize control from the sixth onward by capitalizing on defensive lapses and landing the cleaner, more eye-catching punches.
In the championship rounds, Santiago returned to his original blueprint: lateral movement, straight punches, and tempo control. That tactical discipline ultimately made the difference on the scorecards, rewarding his ability to adapt and execute more effective boxing when it mattered most. With the win, Santiago capped off a stellar year, earning his second victory of the year in Japan, both over previously unbeaten champions. (He defeated Shokichi Iwata in March to become WBO champion). Despite his 16-4 record, this win cemented Santiago's status as a major player in the 108-pound division. Takami (10-1), despite the setback, showed grit and quality, and his youth suggests a swift return to the upper tier of the division.
MARCH 14, 2025: Puerto Rico has a new boxing champion as René “Chulo” Santiago was crowned the WBO junior flyweight champion with a big road upset over Japan's Shokichi Iwata by unanimous decision at the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo. The 32 year-old Santiago is just 14-4 in his career, and barely a year removed from a failed title bid against Iwata's predecessor, Jonathan Gonzalez. Santiago dominated the twelve-round fight and the official scorecards favored him by scores of 116-112, 117-111, and 118-110. There was a moment of confusion when the referee mistakenly raised Iwata’s arm at the end of the fight, but quickly corrected himself. Iwata's title reign ended after just five months, and his record falls to 14-2.
