about santana
Born in Manatí, Puerto Rico, Edgar Santana was brought to Spanish Harlem at the age of five. The struggles of El Barrio at that time were undeniable, and its streets would become the place that shaped his determination, sharpened his skills, and taught him resilience. They called him “El Chamaco” because he was a kid who would never back down from a fight, and his heart and relentless drive saw Edgar rise from the concrete of the hood to become a professional fighter, a two-time world champion, and “The Pride of Spanish Harlem.”
El Chamaco
The rise of a fighter
For Santana, boxing wasn’t just a sport, it was survival; a way to channel his energy, keep him off the streets, and part of his legacy as a proud Puerto Rican kid growing up in the hustle and rhythm of East Harlem. Raised by a father who valued toughness and athleticism, he started training taekwondo at a young age out of a small neighborhood gym, where he quickly developed a reputation for his talent. A chance meeting with former Olympian and three-time light heavyweight champion Chegüi Torres, who came to speak at his middle school about his career as a boxer, inspired him to take up the sport. The next day he and his father signed him up for classes at a gym in the basement of Johnson Projects, and the rest is history.
from amateur to pro
Beginning at the age of 15, Santana carved his way through the amateur boxing world, with an impressive 44 amateur bouts under his belt. His pursuit of the sport has taken him across the world, sharpening his skills in Puerto Rico, Panama, Belgium, Germany, and most notably New York City, where he honed his craft at the legendary Gleason’s Gym. Trained by some of the sport’s most respected trainers, including Hector Roca and Don Félix Trinidad, father of Puerto Rican icon and world champion Félix “Tito” Trinidad, Edgar has had the privilege of developing his technique among the best the deep tradition of boxing has to offer.
two-Time
WORLD CHAMPION
In 1999, Santana turned pro, debuting at Yonkers Raceway and quickly becoming a force in the junior welterweight division with his aggressive but graceful style. Over the course of his career, he compiled an impressive record of 29-5, with 20 KOs, a testament to his skills and finishing ability inside the ring.
His journey has taken him to some of boxing’s biggest stages, including fighting under the lights at the world’s most iconic arena, Madison Square Garden, and earning two junior welterweight championship belts, placing him among the division’s top fighters of the time.
But the road was not without hardship; he suffered major setbacks along the way, including several devastating injuries, like breaking both hands during a fight to defend his title in 2012. His determination and perseverence through pain and struggle has both defined his career and allowed him to become the coach he is today.
Training style
Edgar's style as a coach meets each client where they’re at. His approach involves pushing the limits of the physical as a method to achieve greatness in all other areas of life. The core of his philosophy as a trainer and an athlete is that what you learn inside the gym about discipline, setting goals, and ultimately, your own strength, can be applied to life outside the ring for continued success in all other areas. His clients range in age and professional backgrounds from young to old, artists to CEOs, but each find that their ability to keep up with the demands of their daily lives becomes easier the more they conquer in their training.
Whether your goal is to kill it in the boardroom, add discipline to your studio routine as an artist, or simply reach your peak physical condition, Edgar can help you achieve that with a light heart and a strong hand.
Book an intro call
Chat with Santana about his availability + get answers to all your questions about training options that will work for you.