Alexandro Santiago has revealed the extent to which the Santiago family business is reliant on him defending his WBC bantamweight title against Junto Nakatani on Saturday night.

The Mexican, 28, impressively won the vacant title against the once-great Nonito Donaire in July 2023, and plans to use it as a platform to secure his and his family’s long-term futures.

He fights one of Japan’s leading fighters at the Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, and ahead of what could prove his greatest test told The Ring: “I want to help my dad continue to grow the business [we own 15 hot dog stalls]. I have a small business, Hotdogs and Burgers, in Soler – an avenue that is very popular in Tijuana

“Hopefully everything goes well and after the fight in Japan, we’re planning to expand the shop and make it bigger.

“The motivation has not changed – my son; my wife; my family are still the reason why I get up in the morning whatever time I need to get up to go for a run; to be in the gym. I want to secure a good future for my son and to help my family live a little bit more comfortably.

“I’m going to his backyard in Japan and I’ve been working extremely hard.”

He also revisited the “dream” of what could regardless prove the defining night of his career, against Donaire.

“Beating a guy like Donaire, who is a superstar, soon probably a hall of famer, to conquer my dream of becoming a world champion was an incredible experience, something I dreamed about since I was a young fighter,” he continued. 

“I celebrated with the people that I love, which is my family, my team, the Quiriarte family.

“It was very challenging and difficult but I do believe the challenge starts now – [there are] a lot more difficult fights like the one I have in Japan but I am very well prepared. I’m enjoying it, I’m having a lot of fun with it. I’m looking forward to it.”