Leo Santa Cruz Breaks Down Ruiz For Stoppage Win

By Rick Reeno

MGM Grand, Las Vegas - WBC super bantamweight champion Leo Santa Cruz (29-0-1, 17KOs) retained his world title with an eight round stoppage win over a game Jesus Ruiz (32-6-5, 21KOs)

Santa Cruz was taking his time in the contest, winging hard hooks to the body and following up with punches upstairs to the head. Santa Cruz started picking up the pace in the third and unloading combinations in bunches. Ruiz continued to hang in there and fought back when needed.

During the sixth, a cut opened up in the upper-corner of Santa Cruz's right eye. Santa Cruz started breaking Ruiz down in the seventh with ripping shots to the head and body. Ruiz was shaken up a few times, but never went down.

At the start of the eight, Santa Cruz hurt Ruiz early and pinned him against the ropes. Santa Cruz started unloaded with both hands, over and over, until referee Kenny Bayless jumped in to wave things off.

By Rick Reeno

MGM Grand, Las Vegas - WBC super bantamweight champion Leo Santa Cruz (29-0-1, 17KOs) retained his world title with an eight round stoppage win over a game Jesus Ruiz (32-6-5, 21KOs)

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