Daniel Santos, a former Puerto Rican professional boxer, made his mark in the welterweight and light middleweight divisions.
Known for his powerful southpaw stance and impressive Olympic achievements, Santos’ career spanned over a decade, earning him multiple world championships and a place among boxing’s elite.
Daniel Santos’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
| Name | Daniel Santos Peña |
| Nickname | El Pillin |
| Born | October 10, 1975 |
| Age | 49 |
| Nationality | Puerto Rican |
| Height | 5′ 11½” / 182cm |
| Turned Pro | 1996 |
| Net Worth | Approximately $4 million (estimated) |
| Stance | Southpaw |
Daniel Santos, born in Puerto Rico, represented his country in international boxing events before turning professional.
His amateur career culminated in a bronze medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, setting the stage for his successful professional journey.
Early Career
Daniel Santos began his boxing journey as an amateur, representing Puerto Rico in various international competitions. He participated in the 1990 and 1992 Junior World Championships, showcasing his talent early on.
Santos’ amateur career reached its pinnacle at the 1995 Pan American Games in Mar del Plata, Argentina, where he secured a silver medal.
This success was followed by his crowning achievement as an amateur – winning the bronze medal in the welterweight division at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
His Olympic performance included victories over opponents from Cameroon, Morocco, and Uzbekistan before a close loss to Russia’s Oleg Saitov in the semifinals.
Professional Career
Santos turned professional on September 28, 1996, making his debut with a first-round technical knockout victory over Andre Hawthorne in Fort Worth, Texas.
He quickly established himself as a formidable fighter in the welterweight division, amassing an impressive record of 21 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw before his first world championship opportunity.
Santos captured the WBO welterweight title in 2000 by defeating Akhmed Kotiev. He successfully defended this title twice before moving up to light middleweight, where he won the WBO light middleweight title in 2002.
Santos held this title for several years, making notable defenses against fighters like Antonio Margarito and Yori Boy Campas.
Daniel Santos’s Net Worth Details
Daniel Santos’s net worth is estimated to be $4 million as of 2025. This valuation takes into account his earnings from his professional boxing career, which totaled around $8,127,000, as well as income from endorsements and other business ventures.
However, it’s important to note that net worth figures can fluctuate over time due to various factors such as investments, expenses, and market conditions.
Fight purses
| Fight | Opponent | Purse |
| UFC 295 (Nov 11, 2024) | Matt Frevola | $116,000 |
| UFC Vegas 76 (July 2023) | Ismael Bonfim | $28,500 |
| UFC Fight Night 209 (Sept 2022) | Gabriel Miranda | $54,000 |
Endorsements
- Venum
- Nutrimuscle
- Mili-Atlas
Career Records
| Total Fights | Wins | Losses | Draws | No Contests |
| 38 | 32 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
FAQs
1. Who is Daniel Santos in boxing?
Daniel Santos Peña is a former Puerto Rican professional boxer who competed from 1996 to 2009. He was a world champion in two weight classes, holding the WBO welterweight and light middleweight titles, as well as the WBA light middleweight title.
2.What was Daniel Santos’ amateur boxing record?
Santos had a successful amateur career, winning a silver medal at the 1995 Pan American Games and a bronze medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in the welterweight division.
3. How many professional fights did Daniel Santos have?
Daniel Santos had a total of 38 professional fights in his career.
4. What was Daniel Santos’ professional boxing record?
Daniel Santos’ professional boxing record was 32 wins, 4 losses, 1 draw, and 1 no contest. Out of his 32 wins, 23 were by knockout.
5. What weight classes did Daniel Santos compete in?
Daniel Santos competed primarily in the welterweight and light middleweight divisions throughout his professional career.
6. When did Daniel Santos win his first world title?
Daniel Santos won his first world title, the WBO welterweight championship, in 2000 by defeating Akhmed Kotiev.
7. Who were some of Daniel Santos’ notable opponents?
Some of Daniel Santos’ notable opponents included Yuri Foreman, Joachim Alcine, Antonio Margarito, Yori Boy Campas, and Giovanni Parisi.
8. What was Daniel Santos’ fighting stance?
Daniel Santos fought as a southpaw, which means he primarily used his left hand as his power hand.
9. When did Daniel Santos retire from professional boxing?
Daniel Santos retired from professional boxing in 2009 after his last fight against Yuri Foreman.
10. What is Daniel Santos’ estimated net worth?
Daniel Santos’ estimated net worth is approximately $4 million USD, based on his career earnings and endorsements.
