Bob Santos gets the best from his fighters – and they’re the first to say it.
Santos’ coaching was on full display as he guided middleweight Jeison Rosario to a draw against Jarrett Hurd, a fight in which Rosario was a slight underdog. Santos’ motivation was pivotal, fueling Rosario in the second half after Hurd had edged the early rounds.
Santos, a staple in the sport for decades, gained widespread recognition in 2022 when he was named trainer of the year by several publications. Now regarded as an A-lister among boxing’s elite, he spends most of his time on the road, restoring careers, developing prospects, and guiding his fighters to success. Rosario, 29, with a record of 24-2-2 (18 KOs), originally from the Dominican Republic, reflected on his recent experience training with Santos.
“Training with Bob Santos has really helped me rediscover my passion and drive, which has revitalized my career,” Rosario told BoxingScene.
“My goal is to build each fighter’s confidence by sharing the knowledge I’ve gathered over the years; it’s about showing them what they’re capable of,” Santos told BoxingScene. “I focus on fundamentals and the small details that make a big difference in the ring. Confidence grows when they see their skills improve.”
Junior middleweight Brian Mendoza, 30, 22-4 (16 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada, recently joined Santos’ camp. Although he hasn’t yet fought with him, Mendoza praised Santos’ “old-school approach.”
“Bob Santos has been helping a lot,” Mendoza told BoxingScene. “He focuses on the small details that most people overlook. He still has that old-school mentality, making sure you’re turning over your knuckles and bringing your hands back to the right spot. It’s those subtle details that make a huge difference. He’s not changing my style but fine-tuning it, getting me to work my jab and inside game.”
Elijah Garcia, 21, 16-1 (13 KOs), a middleweight, recently had his first training camp with Santos following a split-decision loss to Kyrone Davis. “I’ve been learning a lot since I started with Bob,” Garcia said. “Switching from my dad as head trainer has been working out. My dad’s still part of my corner, and together he and Bob make a great team. Bob brings that big-fight experience and no-nonsense attitude, which is what I need.”
Eros Correa, 31, 14-1 (9 KOs), relocated from San Jose, California, to Las Vegas to train under Santos. The former top-ranked amateur from the 2012 U.S. Olympic cycle said, “Since I joined Santos, I’ve pushed myself to limits I didn’t know I had. He’s been instrumental in bringing the dog out of me.”
One of Santos’ standout prospects is Cuban heavyweight Dainier Pero, 25, 9-0 (7 KOs), whom Santos has compared to unified heavyweight titleholder Oleksandr Usyk. Pero spoke highly of the partnership. “Working with Santos has been instrumental in my growth as a fighter,” Pero explained. “Every day in the gym, I feel I’m getting better, and it’s showing in my fights. He’s pushing me to be my best.”
For Santos, it all comes down to his philosophy. “You can’t buy experience, and I’ve been fortunate to work with great coaches and fighters over the years,” he said. “Every fighter is unique, and I tailor my coaching to bring out their strengths while teaching techniques that have helped others succeed.”
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