(July 29th) Both top-ranked junior-middleweight contenders Giovani Santillan and Abass Baraou say they’re well aware of the career implications of winning or losing their 10-round main event on Friday, September 11, live on ProBoxTV (8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT) from Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California.

Southpaw Santillan, 35-1 (18 KOs), the hometown hero from nearby San Diego, rated the IBF No. 12 junior-middleweight in the world, says he knows a victory over Baraou puts him right back in the division’s title picture.

Santillan will be looking for the fourth victory of his comeback since losing his “0” via unexpected TKO to Brian Norman Jnr for the interim WBO welterweight title in May 2024.

“This upcoming fight against Baraou is very important to me and to my career,” said Santillan. “I expect myself to win this fight and put on a great performance! This is the fight that will put me into the top of the division and give me a chance to challenge for a world title.”

Former WBA junior-middleweight champion Baraou, 17-2 (9 KOs), from Berlin, Germany, is the WBA No. 4-, WBO No. 6- and WBC No. 12-ranked junior-middleweight contender.

Known for his high-volume pressure, Baraou won the WBA Interim junior-middleweight world championship by scoring a final-round knockdown en route to a unanimous points verdict over then-interim champion, Yoenis Téllez in August 2025. He was elevated to full champion the following month, after Terence Crawford vacated the title.

Baraou will be making his first ring appearance since losing his 154lbs title by split decision in a WBO/WBA unification battle against Xander Zayas in late January this year.

The fight against Santillan, says Baraou, can serve as a springboard back to another shot at the world belt.

“This is a great matchup and a great opportunity for me to prove that I belong among the best,” said Baraou. “Santillan is a strong fighter, and I believe I have all the tools to beat him. I’ll be ready, and I can’t wait to put on a great performance.”

In the co-main event, former IBF featherweight world champion Luis Alberto Lopez, 32-3 (19 KOs) of Baja California, Mexico, will make his ProBox Promotions debut against rugged contender Daniel Lugo, 28-4-1 (19 KOs), of Sonora, Mexico.

WBO No. 6- and IBF No. 11-ranked “Venado” Lopez will be fighting for the third time since losing his IBF title to fellow ProBox Promotions stablemate Angelo Leo in August 2024.

In the chief supporting bout, undefeated junior-lightweights Dominic Valle, 13-0 (7 KOs), of Lutz, Florida, and Francois Scarboro Jr, 14-0 (9 KOs), of Cheverly, Maryland, will collide with someone’s 0 on the line in an uncommonly high-stakes battle between rising prospects.

This event is presented by ProBox Promotions. The Santillan-Baraou main event is presented in association with Top Rank.

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