Boxing Champ Francisco Santana Returns to Santa Barbara High

Boxing champ Francisco “Chia” Santana returned today to meet business students at Santa Barbara High where he graduated in 2004.

Earlier this month Santana (17-3-1) won the Central Coast Welterweight title in a Gary Shaw Productions, sold out fight card at the Chumash Resort Casino, in the Santa Ynez Valley.

He brought the title belt into the Don’s Net Cafe classroom for the students to see while he spoke about his desire to reach goals and his path to success. Santana also spoke about the ‘business’ of sports.

“It comes from being marketable, the promotional aspects, the business aspects, the contract, the sponsors how to be able to build a mega fight. Like the one we will see in two weeks, the Canelo Alvarez-Floyd Mayweather, all the sponsors and all they invest,” said Santana.

At age 27, Santana says he is looking forward to his next fight in December. With a win he may be in position for a high dollar televised fight in 2014. He works out regularly at KnuckleHeadz Boxing in Ventura, where he says many top up-and-coming fighters are pounding the bags and putting in long hours.

Santana grew up in Santa Barbara, living in a modest home with his family.

He spent his free time working out at local gyms, running track and field and focusing on his sports career.

Slideshow: Boxing Champ Francisco Santana Returns to S.B.H.S.