Leo Santa Cruz: record, next fight and profile →
Leo Santa Cruz vs. Carl Frampton II turned out to be as entertaining and action-packed a scrap as their first fight. Both fighters showed remarkable sportsmanship and mutual respect before, during and after the bout. But thrilling fights and gallantry are a dime a dozen in the sport of boxing. What made this fight really exceptional was its pre- and post-fight level of transparency.
Leo Santa Cruz was clearly a very good fighter even before he found a way to turn the tables on the lone man to beat him to date. In victory, he expanded his own ceiling while setting the stage for what could be a compelling rubber match.
By Lyle Fitzsimmons - There were still six rounds to go Saturday night. But the fighters, the handlers, the fans and the Showtime broadcast crew knew what was up. It was at that halfway moment – as Leo Santa Cruz and Carl Frampton walked back to their respective corners at the MGM Grand – that blow-by-blow...
by David P. Greisman - Francisco Vargas was in one of the best fights of 2015, got back in the ring seven months later and wound up in one of the best fights of 2016. He came back after another seven months off and went directly into another battle, a warrior who knew nothing but returning to the frontlines in ord...
Leo Santa Cruz regains the WBA featherweight title by exploiting his reach advantage through his underrated jab, which was thrown 34.8 times per round and averaged 6.8 connects. This allowed Santa Cruz to command range and, ultimately, the fight.
In a bid to secure a third fight against Leo Santa Cruz back home in Belfast, Carl Frampton has even jokingly told the Mexican he can stay at his house. At a post-fight press conference, the Jackal offered his congratulations to the new WBA world super featherweight champion.
Santa Cruz vs. Frampton Rematch Photo Gallery - Leo Santa Cruz reclaimed the WBA Featherweight Championship, executing a brilliant game plan to dethrone Carl Frampton in a rematch of their epic first fight in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Saturday in front of 10,085 raucous fans at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Leo Santa Cruz Video Interview - LAS VEGAS - Leo Santa Cruz reclaimed the WBA featherweight title Saturday night with a majority decision over Carl Frampton. In their second fight in six months, the 125-pound fighters thrilled the crowd with furious exchanges over a grueling 12 rounds, with Santa Cruz (33-1-1) avenging his only loss.
Leo Santa Cruz reclaimed the WBA featherweight title Saturday night with a majority decision over Carl Frampton. In their second fight in six months, the 125-pound fighters thrilled the crowd with furious exchanges over a grueling 12 rounds, with Santa Cruz (33-1-1) avenging his only loss.
Carl Frampton has called on Leo Santa Cruz to complete the trilogy with a final showdown in Belfast after losing his WBA featherweight title in Las Vegas. Frampton was beaten for the first time in his career on a majority points decision at the MGM Grand as Santa Cruz regained the belt he lost to the Northern Irishman in July.