Unheralded Rene Santiago began 2025 as a journeyman; he closed the year as a unified junior flyweight champion.

The 33-year-old Puerto Rican impressively ripped the WBO title from Shokichi Iwata’s grasp at Kokugikan in Tokyo in March. He returned to the same arena to repeat the trick, this time upsetting heavily favored WBA ruler Kyosuke Takami on Tuesday.

Entering the fight, Takami (10-1, 8 KOs) was The Ring’s second-ranked junior flyweight, while Santiago sat one place lower in the 108-pound top 10.

Santiago (15-4, 9 KOs), the older man by a decade, showed age was just a number. Instead of it working against him, it worked for him on his way to winning a split decision.

“The intelligence and the experience were very important,” Santiago told The Ring through promoter Felix Zabala. “[It was] an emotional fight. I feel 100 percent satisfied [with my performance].”

In a back-and-forth encounter, Santiago was able to use his patience to edge the close moments and claim the win. That patience was on display again when the fight went to the scorecards, as the visitor remained calm.

“I didn't feel worried,” Santiago said. “My team told me, ‘You won the fight.’ And it was good enough for me. We had made history together as a team. My team was very important to my victory.”

Santiago topped Takami on the cards of judges Leszek Jankowiak (117-111) and Richard Blouin (115-113). Judge Pinit Prayadsab scored their 12-round fight for Takami, 116-112.

Zabala – who promotes Santiago alongside his father, Tuto, for All-Star Boxing – is elated about the title triumph, while also being able to walk in his father and grandfather’s footsteps.

“It’s a dream come true,” Zabala said. “[I] remember the days when my dad and grandpa [went overseas] with Wilfredo Vasquez, and here we are again repeating history. It was a very emotional fight. No one deserves it more than Rene.”

Santiago, who beat Iwata by unanimous decision, is targeting more glory in 2026.

“I would like to be undisputed champion,” he said. “I want WBC [Knockout CP Freshmart] and IBF [Thanongsak Simsri] belts.”

After the year Santiago has had, who would bet against him?