CLEVELAND — The press conference Wednesday to hype Friday night’s professional boxing card at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center was missing one key member.

Lorain’s Wilkins Santiago, who is making his much anticipated professional debut after a decorated career as an amateur, was notably absent from the event.

He had a good reason: He couldn’t get off of work.

Santiago works full time at a factory in Lorain while juggling the rest of his time between his fiancée and two children and training for bouts. Leading a regular life is what keeps him hungry and driven to succeed in the boxing world.

“It’s definitely kept me grounded,” he said. “My day starts at 5:30 in the morning with a 5- or 6-mile run. Then it’s off to work for eight hours until about 4 p.m. Then I usually go to the gym and train, and I don’t get home until almost 9.

“It’s hard, but hopefully something good will come out of this. My fiancée and my kids fully support me, as does my immediate family and the city of Lorain. Being a professional boxer is something I’ve dreamed about since I was a kid, and took me awhile, but I’m finally realizing my dream.”

Santiago will take on Columbus’ Troy Nelson (0-5) in a four-round middleweight bout as part of the undercard for ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights.” The main event features native Clevelander and 2008 Olympian Shawn Porter (12-0, 10 KO) against Russell Jackson (15-6, 10 KO) for the NABO junior middleweight championship.

“I got two DVDs on (Nelson) right now that I’ve been studying,” Santiago said. “He holds his own in the ring. I respect him. He pours his heart out inside the ring. But I feel in the best shape of my life and that it’s my time to shine.

“It’s about whose heart wants it the most. I have deep confidence within myself and my training, and I believe I will be victorious.”

Nelson, despite his winless record, hasn’t been truly stopped in any of his fights. But judging by what some of Friday’s participants have observed, Santiago could be the guy to do it.

“Wilkins worked out at my gym on Presidents Day, because most of the other gyms were closed,” said Joe Delguyd, who will be in the corner of another Clevelander on the card, Dante Moore (6-0, 4 KO). “We were watching him work out, and we were floored. He looked unstoppable.

“You can tell he’s peaking at the right time. I think he’s going to open up a lot of eyes.”

This is Santiago’s second attempt at a professional debut. Last year, he was supposed to have a bout in North Olmsted, but his opponent pulled out at the last minute. It only served as a minor roadblock.

“My adrenaline was high, not only because it would have been my pro debut, but also because a lot of people came to see me fight,” he said. “It was upsetting, but I had to refocus and keep training because I knew my day would come.

“Hopefully, there are no last-second snags, but if there is, I’ll just get ready for the next one.”

Santiago’s bout is third on a seven-fight card that features eight fighters from Ohio (four from Northeast Ohio) and two Olympians.

The card begins at 7 p.m., and ESPN2 goes live at 9. That means Santiago’s bout may not be televised.

“The bright lights and the TV cameras are nice, but in the end, it’s just about you and your opponent in the ring,” he said. “The cameras make you feel good, but the victory’s more important. I want to get my career started in the right direction, and I’ll be blessed to finally have that pro fight, and hopefully a pro win, under my belt.”

Santiago, 29, was 72-9 during his amateur career while fighting out of Freddie’s Gym, run by Freddie Barriero, in Lorain.

Santiago and the rest of the fighters will be present today at the weigh-in at the Barley House, located at 1261 W. 6th St. in Cleveland. The main event weigh-in will be at 1 p.m., and the undercard weigh-in will be at 5. Both sessions are open to the public.

Contact Dan Gilles at 329-7135 or dangilles73@gmail.com.

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