Jose Santa Cruz exposed all of his sons to boxing—Armando Santa Cruz is a former world title contender at 135 pounds—but Leo shined especially bright from an early age, winning a world … Santa Cruz won every round on all three judges scorecards (100-90, 3 times). The key to victory for Leo Santa Cruz on Saturday might not be that complicated: Just listen to dad. Despite the defeat, Santa Cruz showed his warrior's heart, giving as good as he got until he succombed. Santa Cruz outworked Mares using his powerful jab, right hand and left hooks. Get the latest fight announcements, fighter spotlights, and other PBC news delivered to your inbox. Four-Division World Champion • (37-1-1, 19 KOs) • For sponsorship or media inquires, contact elfamosoterremoto@gmail.com In June 2012, Santa Cruz took on South African veteran Vusi Malinga for the vacated 118-pound world title. Santa Cruz gained a sixth-round stoppage in exciting fashion, thrilling the crowd in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico. Santa Cruz's victory  over Cayetano set up a long-anticipated showdown in August with three-division champion Abner Mares in Los Angeles. He stopped Roman in round two to retain his world title. The action was brilliant until the fateful sixth, when Davis broke through with a left uppercut, dropping Santa Cruz and becoming the first man to stop him. Add our schedule to your calendar and receive a reminder before each PBC fight. Round 12 of 12, Feb With his father and his older brother Antonio overseeing his training, Santa Cruz cemented his standing atop the 122-pound division, winning wide decisions over Cesar Seda in December 2013 and Cristian Mijares in March 2014 in defense on his title. 14, 2017 • [90], For the bout, Santa Cruz reportedly earned $1 million and Mares earned a $750,000 purse. I didn’t feel myself today and didn't perform the way I wanted to. “He told me what he was going to do—he told me he was going to use his distance—and I thought he was bluffing,” Frampton said. After nearly 150 amateur victories, Santa Cruz made his pro debut in October 2006, with a second-round knockout of Pedro Silva in Nogales, Arizona, just two months after his 18th birthday. "[42] Santa Cruz landed 371 of 1043 punches thrown (36%) and Mijares landed 132 of his 574 thrown (23%). Round 6 of 12, Nov I want Rigondeaux and I want my manager [Al Haymon] to make the fight to show I am the best. Gervonta Davis stopped Leo Santa Cruz in the sixth round in San Antonio to retain his WBA lightweight crown and take Santa Cruz’s WBA junior-lightweight title. Let's make it a third fight!" After losing his championship status in 2016, the Mexican-American California native has now reclaimed his 126-pound world title. SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Gervonta “Tank” Davis knocked out Leo Santa Cruz with a stunning uppercut in the sixth round to retain his WBA lightweight championship and take Santa Cruz… Oct [32][33][Video 1], Golden Boy initially tried to make Santa Cruz vs. Cristian Mijares for 2 November however negotiations broke down on 9 October. He then defended himself in the post-fight interview, "It was a war, but we came prepared. He's a lefty. The fight was officially announced in March along with the rest of the undercard. [67][68] The fight averaged 480,000 and peaked at 549,000 viewers. [94] A month later, the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles was confirmed as the venue. Léodegario Santa Cruz (born 10 August 1988) is a Mexican professional boxer. Santa Cruz went 10-0-1 in his first 11 fights, but registered just two knockouts as he began his ascent in the 118-pound division. Originally discussed to take place at Frampton's hometown of Belfast, the venue was confirmed to be at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on 28 January 2017. There, Santa Cruz applied a slick gameplan and frustrated "The Jackal" over 12 rounds, returning the favor with a majority decision triumph and again becoming a recognized featherweight champ. Martínez was knocked down twice in Round 1, but beat the referee's count and continued to back Santa Cruz up in an entertaining slugfest. Rosemead, California, USA, A relentless puncher with a nonstop motor, Leo Santa Cruz has conquered three weight divisions. [98] In late September, it was revealed that a fight with Miguel Flores was in the works for the vacant WBA (Super) super featherweight title title. Avalos never got started in the fight, which was all Santa Cruz. I came to do what I had to do to win. Leo Santa Cruz casually mentioned that training camp was going great during a virtual press conference Tuesday. Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, Gervonta Davis WINS against Leo Santa Cruz by KO in Round 12 of 12, Feb In the post fight, Frampton said he wanted to defend the title in his home city and did not want to rule out a rematch. [15], On 2 December 2012 Golden Boy Promotions announced a double-header which would take place on CBS at the Los Angeles Sports Arena on 15 December where Santa Cruz would make his third defence in four months against unbeaten Mexican boxer Alberto Guevara (16-0, 6 KOs). Leo Santa Cruz’s Path to Be a Five Division Champ. The figures were recorded as the highest on ESPN since 1998. The fight would take place in the afternoon, on the same card Jermell Charlo defends his WBC light middleweight title against Erickson Lubin in the evening on Showtime. Santa Cruz, who faces Gervonta Davis on pay-per-view from the Alamodome in San Antonio, has the instincts of a warrior. [77] Due to the Srisaket Sor Rungvisai–Roman González rematch taking place on the 9 September at the Stubhub Center in Carson, AEG, who own both venues said they would push the Santa Cruz-Mares rematch back to take place on 7 October instead. [78] On 18 August, it was announced that negotiations had broken down.[79]. Santa Cruz landed 357 punches compared to 208 for Mares. Judge Max Deluca had it a draw at 114-114 whilst judges Jesse Reyes and Steve Morrow scored it 117-111 for Santa Cruz. [31] Santa Cruz landed 78 of 267 punches thrown (29%) and Terrazas landed 33 of his 156 thrown (21%). Fighting as part of the Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao pay-per-view in May 2015, Santa Cruz won his 126-pound debut with a 10-round unanimous decision over Jose Cayetano. Round 12 of 12, Nov Santa Cruz scored the first landmark victory of his career on August 29, 2015, when in a heated, passionate, 12-round war at the Staples Center, he out-gunned Mares en route to a Majority Decision victory. In a one-sided beatdown, Santa Cruz stopped Avalos in the eighth round. The end came with Santa Cruz piling hurtful power shots on Avalos, when referee Thomas Taylor had seen enough, he stepped in at 1 minute, 34 seconds. Mares A Huge Ratings Hit For PBC on ESPN", "Santa Cruz-Martinez, Frampton-Quigg Hits Showtime on 2/27", "Kiko Martinez To Have Robert Garcia in Corner, Sarmiento Out", "Leo Santa Cruz Batters Game Kiko Martinez In Five Rounds", "Santa Cruz defends title with TKO of Martinez", "CompuBox: Santa Cruz-Martinez - Over 1K Punches in 5 Rounds", "Carl Frampton, Leo Santa Cruz Deal Done For New York City", "Carl Frampton beats Leo Santa Cruz to win WBA world featherweight title in New York", "Frampton takes title in slugfest vs. Santa Cruz", "Carl Frampton-Leo Santa Cruz Had Ratings Peak of 549,000 – Boxing News", "Frampton rematch with Santa Cruz set for Las Vegas in January", "Vital Boxing | Frampton v Santa Cruz – Date and Venue Confirmed", "Santa Cruz regains title with majority decision win", "Leo Santa Cruz defeats Carl Frampton by a majority decision in their rematch", "Showtime wins head-to-head ratings matchup with HBO", "Leo Santa Cruz vs. Abner Mares Rematch Ordered By The WBA – Boxing News", "Leo Santa Cruz vs. Abner Mares Rematch Purse Bid on July 21 – Boxing News", "Schaefer: Santa Cruz vs. - [100] In his post-fight interview, Santa Cruz called out Gary Russell and stated that he’d be willing to move up to lightweight for a potential fight with Gervonta Davis. Terrazas was able to fight back but was getting hit a lot in the process. Santa Cruz’s resume is rock solid having the distinction of being a four-division titleholder (bantamweight up to super-featherweight). Both champions scored decisivie wins setting up their June 9 rematch at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Once Antonio, Luna and Jose recovered, Leo Santa Cruz began concentrating on preparing for his huge fight with Davis. Add our schedule to your calendar and receive a reminder before each PBC fight. 29, 2015 • Buy Leo Santa Cruz tickets at Expedia. 37 On 25 August, Mares told Ringtv that he and Santa Cruz would still appear on the same card on 14 October on Fox. We want the big fights in 2020. Mares became mandatory challenger and "regular" titleholder after winning a split decision against Argentine boxer Jesus Cuellar in December 2016. After that fight, when answering questions about his next move, Santa Cruz said through a big grin, “I’m not scared of anyone.”. [104] Santa Cruz seemed comfortable during the duration of the fight, however the Mexican constantly left himself vulnerable during his high-volume barrages. These numbers were much lower than their first bout, however that bout was aired on ESPN. 129.50 lbs He said "It was a great fight -- another war. Life, at least superficially, is great for Leo Santa Cruz.He holds a world title, the WBA super featherweight championship, the fourth division in which he’s been a champion. The 23-year-old Mexican native dominated his older opponent for 12 rounds, gaining a near shutout on the judges’ scorecards to take a unanimous decision. In the sixth round, Davis landed a flush left uppercut, knocking out Santa Cruz and leaving him unconscious. While most of his family was born in Mexico, Leo Santa Cruz was born and raised in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles. [69], A rematch was confirmed between Santa Cruz and Frampton in October to take place. In total, over five rounds, Santa Cruz landed 277 punches of 509 thrown (54%) and Morel landed 73 of his 344 thrown (21%). [43], Santa Cruz made his next defence on 13 September at the MGM Grand on the Mayweather-Maidana II undercard against Mexican boxer Manuel Roman (17-2-3, 6 KOs) . ... Abner is a great fighter. [83] Mares was also victorious in his fight, setting up a rematch between himself and Santa Cruz. After the fight, Santa Cruz expressed interest in fighting WBC featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr. in a unification fight. ", said Santa Cruz in the post fight interview. That win earned him a shot against 122-pound world champion Victor Terrazas in Carson, California, in August 2013, and Santa Cruz made the most of it. I want Gary Russell. So he surprised me. When things get hot, he naturally jumps directly into the cauldron. [19] According to CompuBox Stats, Santa Cruz landed 291 of 989 punches thrown (29%) and Guevara landed 158 of his 793 thrown (20%). The fight started out with both boxers trading blow, but it was Santa Cruz who was landing the harder and cleaner shots. 30, 2016 • We put on a great battle. Mijares had great experience. Advisor Al Haymon re-assured Mares that a rematch with Santa Cruz would still take place. [17][18] Santa Cruz explained the reason for the lower output was because he felt he had fought a lot recently. I wanted to give [the fans] a brawl, a toe-to-toe, my dad said, 'What are you doing, you are supposed to beat him from the outside' -- and that's what we did in the later rounds." “Miguel is a good fighter, he gave me a tough fight and he proved he's not a pushover. [99] The match was ultimately confirmed and placed on the main card of Wilder vs. Ortiz II on 23 November. Gervonta Davis vs. Leo Santa Cruz fight results: 'Tank' delivers violent Knockout of the Year contender in win Davis outgunned the very tough and durable Santa Cruz and put … Frampton only landed 133 of his 592 punches thrown (22%) whereas Santa Cruz landed 230 of his 884 thrown (26%). Despite a subpar performance, Santa Cruz managed to outwork Flores and won via unanimous decision with two judges scoring the bout 117-110 and a third scoring it 115-112. [7][8][9], In August 2012, it was announced that Santa Cruz would make the first defence of his IBF title on the undercard of Saul Álvarez vs. Josesito López on 15 September at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Paradise, Nevada. [71][72] Frampton earned a purse of $1 million compared to $900,000 that Santa Cruz received. 58 talking about this. [63][64][65], On 22 April 2016 negotiations were complete for Santa Cruz to defend his WBA (super) featherweight title against Carl Frampton (22-0, 14 KOs), who was moving up from super bantamweight on 30 July 2016 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Commerce Casino, Commerce, California, USA, Leo Santa Cruz WINS against Julio Valadez by KO in [51], On 3 July 2015 a deal was finally reached for Santa Cruz to challenge fellow Southern Californian Abner Mares (29-1-1, 15 KOs) for the vacant WBA (Super) featherweight and vacant WBC Diamond featherweight titles on 29 August at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. He left his heart out there. Léodegario Santa Cruz (born 10 August 1988) is a Mexican professional boxer. 16, 2019 • After his revenge victory over Frampton, Santa Cruz scored an eighth-round TKO of Chris Avalos on an October 14, 2017 card that he shared with fellow 126-pound titleholder Abner Mares. In round 3, Santa Cruz dropped Terrazas twice and although he beat the count each time, the referee waved off the fight after the second knockdown. [95] However, Flores was forced to withdraw from the fight after suffering an ankle injury in camp. [76] Due to the negotiations taking too long, the WBA ordered a deal be made by 11 July 2017 or the fight would go to purse bids on 21 July. Before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down boxing, one of the marquee fights slated to be announced was Leo Santa Cruz against Gervonta Davis. In January 2018, he reached a peak pound for pound ranking of sixth by the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board. - [34] The card was later taken off PPV, but would still be aired on Showtime and would take place at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Los Angeles, California, Leo Santa Cruz WINS against Rafael Rivera by UD in I want to stay at 130. We were able to take control. [47][48] Santa Cruz was criticized for fighting another low-level regarded opponent prior to the fight. I was trying to please the fans. Even though it is unknown when boxing will return, Santa Cruz is staying sharp in his preparation for a potential Davis clash. Leo Santa Cruz 2021: Record, Net Worth, Salary, and Endorsements. [60], In January 2016, Showtime announced they would televise Santa Cruz's first defence against Kiko Martínez (35-6, 26 KOs), scheduled to take place on 28 February at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Round 5 of 12, Aug The fight would take place on the PPV undercard of Canelo vs. Angulo. 03, 2009 • Two judges scored Santa Cruz the clear winner with scorecards of 120-108 and the third judge gave Malinga one round, scoring the fight 119–109. Davis, who had recently moved up to the lightweight division, agreed to move back down to super featherweight. I had to be smarter. 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