Leo Santa Cruz Gets Revenge, Edges Carl Frampton For WBA Belt

By Rick Reeno

MGM Grand, Las Vegas - In yet another action-packed fight, Leo Santa Cruz (33-1-1, 18 KOs) got revenge with a twelve round majority decision over previously undefeated Carl Frampton (23-1, 14 KOs) to capture the WBA featherweight title. The scores were 114-114, 115-113, 115-113.

They first met last July at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, with Frampton winning a close twelve round majority decision to claim Santa Cruz's WBA title. There was a rematch clause which led to the second meeting.

The rematch started off with the same type of fireworks as the first fight. Neither boxer was afraid to get inside to land shots. In the final minute of the first, they were trading hard punches at close range as the Irish fans packing the MGM were on their feet in a frenzy.

Santa Cruz was sticking with the jab in the second and keeping Frampton at bay for most of the round.  Frampton with more movement and sharp punching in the second, as Santa Cruz began to come forward with the intention of doing damage. Santa Cruz was using his long jab to get inside, but Frampton was good at stopping his onslaughts.

Frampton was coming forward and pushing Santa Cruz back in the early portion of the fourth. In the final minute of the round, they were trading power punches on the inside with a fury. Both fighters having their moments as their fans in attendance were cheering them on.

Santa Cruz going to the jab, and using it as a range finder in the fifth. After some close action, Santa Cruz pulled away in the final minute with a series of good shots. In the sixth, Santa Cruz was digging to the body with hooks to slow down Frampton's movement and then going upstairs to the head. Frampton was rallying in the final minute.

They were trading at close range to start off the seventh. The pace soon slowed down with Frampton coming forward and throwing calculated punches. The fight round had the two fighters trying to outmuscle each other on the inside and both were digging to the body. A very close round, as nearly all of them have been, with neither boxer really pulling away with the fight.

They began to engage more in the in the ninth. Santa Cruz with the slight edge as they were trading down the stretch with a brawl. The fire fight continued in the tenth. Santa Cruz still appeared to have the edge with the brawling, but it was razor close.

Frampton stayed on top pf Santa Cruz in the eleventh, pressing against him and trying to smother him. Eventually Santa Cruz was able to create some space as they were trading away. There were a lot of missed shots, but good shots landed in minor spurts by both.

They started off the twelfth round throwing punches from the minute the bell rang. They were some very telling punches landed by both boxer. Each fighter showed off some chin power with the kind of punches that were raining in. There was no quit in either guy, and they continued to throw until the final round rang.