'El Santo' Dreams Of Olympic Gold

As you walk into the Santiago living room, it’s littered with a plethora of trophies, plaques and championship belts. Come 2016 in Brazil, Milton Santiago Jr. hopes to add an Olympic gold medal to that living room. 

In Olympic boxing, Puerto-Rican Americans have won bronze medals, they’ve won silver, but never gold. Milton “El Santo” Santiago Jr. wants to become the first Puerto-Rican American to win a gold medal.

After Saturday night’s win in Camden, the 14-year-old Santiago Jr. moved his record to 129-11.

Santiago Jr. trains at Tenth Round Boxing Gym in Fairless Hills. He’s a three-time Pennsylvania Golden Gloves Champion, a three-time Ringside World Champion and a three-time National Pal Champion. Oh, and he’s an honor roll student. 

“I’ve been coming to the gym with my dad since I was in a walker. My first fight was when I was eight and I’ve been training since I was five, really little,” Santiago Jr. said.

“He (Milton Jr.) was always tagging along doing stuff in the gym. I started teaching him combinations and he did a lot of exhibitions for pro shows,” Santiago Sr. said.

“I was just running around, took gloves and just hit the bag randomly. I’d hit people for no reason,” Santiago Jr. said.

His father, Milton Santiago Sr. started training athletes back in 1990-1991. He trained Kermit Cintron, a William Tennant alum and former Welterweight Champion. 

“To me it’s not a father-son relationship, it’s a trainer-fighter relationship,” Santiago Sr. said. “I do the same thing with him that I do with everyone else. I ride everybody hard. To be the best, you have to train the best. If you don’t train right, the next guy is training harder. You have to push yourself. It pays off.”

Santiago Sr. said his son goes toe-to-toe with his sparring partners.

“He’s 14 years old, but when he spars, he doesn’t spar with 14 year olds. He spars with grown men, professionals, men, not kids, men. And he’ll beat them up all over the ring at 14.”

Santiago Jr. explained his daily routine at the gym.

“I’m at the gym about two to three hours,” he said. “I’ll get dressed, stretch, and jump rope for five rounds. I’ll shadow box for a couple rounds. He’ll (father) wrap my hands, and then I’ll go hit the bag for three rounds. Then, I’ll hit the jabbing ball for three rounds. I’ll hit the speed bag for three rounds. Then I’ll do my exercises. Sometimes I’ll do strength and conditioning with weights. After that, we’ll even hit the track and run two to three miles.”

Santiago Jr. does more than just box. He plays football, baseball and wrestles. His father wants him to stay busy at all times.

“My kids are my life. I knew what the streets were like, what’s out there in the real world, the drugs and all of the other stuff going on,” Santiago Sr. said. “You have to keep them on the right path. I’m a father and I never had a father to be there for me like that. I know what’s out there and I teach them. We go to church every Sunday. When it comes time for them to make that right decision, I know they’ll make it.”

Santiago Jr. has two younger brothers, Thomas, 10, and Nicco, 7. They too box, and hope to follow in their older brother’s footsteps.

“They look up to him, but they want to be better,” Santiago Sr. said.

The road to the Olympics is an extremely long journey which takes a never-ending focus and determination.

The honor of representing your country in the Summer Games is a rare distinction.  Winning a gold medal is even rarer.

When asked what winning gold would mean to him, Santiago Jr. had this to say.

“It would mean a lot. I’ll probably be crying if I get that."

An emotional father commented.

“Wow, I get the goosebumps just thinking about it. He’s blessed. I believe it’s going to happen. He’ll get there," Santiago Sr. said. "I had a vision; I told him I saw him on the podium. I know it’s going to happen.”