The 10-round bout headlines a ProBox Promotions card and streams live on ProBoxTV from 8 p.m. ET.
Santillan (35-1, 18 KOs) enters the fight determined to complete his climb back into title contention. The San Diego southpaw has won three straight fights since Brian Norman Jr. stopped him in their interim WBO welterweight title clash in May 2024, handing him the only defeat of his professional career.
Now campaigning at 154 pounds, the IBF’s No. 12-ranked contender believes defeating Baraou will thrust him into the mix for a world championship fight.
“This upcoming fight against Baraou is very important to me and to my career. 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.”
Baraou (17-2, 9 KOs) arrives with far more championship experience. The Berlin fighter captured the WBA interim junior middleweight title by outpointing Yoenis Téllez in August 2025 after dropping him in the final round. He was elevated to full champion the following month when Terence Crawford vacated the belt before surrendering it in a split-decision loss to Xander Zayas in a WBA-WBO unification bout earlier this year.
Ranked No. 4 by the WBA, No. 6 by the WBO and No. 12 by the WBC, Baraou knows victory over Santillan would move him straight back into the title conversation.
“This is a great matchup and a great opportunity for me to prove that I belong among the best. 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.”
The co-feature pits former IBF featherweight champion Luis Alberto Lopez (32-3, 19 KOs) against fellow Mexican Daniel Lugo (28-4-1, 19 KOs). Lopez, ranked No. 6 by the WBO and No. 11 by the IBF, continues his rebuild after Angelo Leo dethroned him in August 2024.
The chief support bout matches unbeaten junior lightweights Dominic Valle (13-0, 7 KOs) and Francois Scarboro Jr. (14-0, 9 KOs) in a clash that guarantees one rising prospect will lose his perfect record.
Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank | Wasserman Boxing
