Boxing

If this is it, Santos goes out a winner

By IZZY GOULD
Published August 7, 2005

TAMPA - "Diamond" David Santos may have spent the final 10 seconds of his career dancing around a boxing ring.

After his majority decision victory Saturday night against Armando Cordoba, Santos still wouldn't commit to closing his 14-year career.

Santos was awarded a majority decision 76-76, 77-75, 77-75.

Moments after he was declared the winner against Cordoba (20-18), Santos (46-6) addressed his fans.

So was that it for the 34-year-old?

"Possibly," Santos said. "It's got to be a lot of money (to fight again). This is a lot of work. I'm not so young anymore."

Santos soaked in the atmosphere on his way back to his dressing room. Security tried to rush him back, but he stopped for autographs and posed for pictures.

Once back in his dressing room, he was surrounded by family and close friends. He couldn't hide his emotion as he recalled the night.

Santos had fought three title bouts and said he was more nervous for Saturday's bout than those fights combined.

"It was like the night I got married," Santos said. "I was so nervous."

Tears streamed down his swollen face as he looked around.

He wanted this fight to put on a good show for his hometown fans, and those who were loyal throughout his career.

"This is the biggest local crowd I ever fought in front of," Santos said. "A lot of fans followed me for years, but never got to see me close."

When Santos jogged to the ring, he believed it could be the last time.

He wore shiny blue shorts and was cheered heavily at times by the pro-Santos crowd.

Cordoba wasn't willing to cooperate. He fought a tactical fight, frustrating Santos by avoiding combinations and often pulling away.

"He did just enough to make you miss and pull something off," Santos said. "He was smart. That's what those guys do.

When Santos connected, fans cheered.

Adding one more victory to his credit doesn't help with the retirement talk.

"It's so hard to think of ending it when you know you can still fight," Santos said.

The draw of using time normally reserved for training and applying it to afternoons with the family or his private diamond enterprise is compelling.

"This is the only thing I know how to do," Santos said. "It's what I've been doing since I was 8 years old. It's hard knowing you still can fight."

[Last modified August 7, 2005, 01:31:12]