It was billed as a ‘war’, and after 12 rounds of relentless action, perhaps even that could be considered an understatement. At the StubHub Center, Los Angeles, Leo Santa Cruz proved he’s the real deal by conquering one hell of a game, skilled fighter in Abner Mares. With a combined punch total of 2037, this fight was breath-taking from the opening bell.
Santa Cruz managed to weather an early storm from a highly-aggressive, smothering Mares, but dug deep to work to a Majority Decision. Scorecards came in at 117-111 (twice) and a rather perplexing 114-114. This fight was highly competitive with some close rounds, sure. But a Draw? Absolutely not.
After Mares successfully played the bully for the opening 4 rounds, making Santa Cruz pay when he came forward, the drama became even more absorbing. Santa Cruz (31-0-1, 17 KO) regrouped and started landing home with his jab and the right-hand. And it wasn’t long before Mares (29-2-1, 15 KO) started feeling the weight of those punches.
Surprisingly, no knockdowns occurred in this explosive 12-rounder. But it will nonetheless go down as a great all-Mexican affair, and certainly PBC’s best headliner to date. Quality stuff from both men, and they deserve endless praise for their performances. This-is-boxing!
A couple of questions were swiftly answered tonight. Hallelujah! Mares is not washed up – he’s still a force in boxing. And Santa Cruz is no hype job. Don’t you just love it when closure finally walks in the door?
So what’s next for both boxers? Big fights for Mares, and even bigger ones for Santa Cruz. The likes of Vasyl Lomachenko and Gary Russel Jr may well be getting a call from Al Haymon over the course of the next few weeks. The future of the Featherweight division is looking rather bright, indeed.
Be sure to check out the equally exciting Santa Cruz vs Mares undercard.
Santa Cruz vs Mares: Round by Round Live Updates
Round 1: Mares goes straight to Santa Cruz, toe to toe already! Explosive start! Chopping away at Santa Cruz! Bullying his foe! Both men swinging, missing. Right-hand from Mares. And another! Santa Cruz on the ropes! Mares is not washed up – we repeat! Santa Cruz right-hand! Two rights from Mares! Mares, 10-9
Round 2: Jeez – this is non-stop! Mares all over Santa Cruz, now Santa Cruz gets Mares’ attention! Fast combination from Mares! Santa Cruz can’t settle in here at all! Now they trade body shots! What a fight! Mares counters, both unload a barrage in closing seconds! Mares 10-9 (20-18)
Round 3: Mares is looking like lightening in there. But Cruz is strong, dangerous. This is a fight. Right-hand from Santa Cruz, introduces the jab, pace slows for a brief moment. Mares receives head butt during heated exchange. Accidental. They trade twenty-odd shots in closing seconds! Mares, 10-9 (30-27)
Round 4: Santa Cruz right-hand. Mares so quick with his inside combinations. Looking sharper, the more dominant fighter in there. Santa Cruz needs to find an answer and quick. Mares cut starting to pour (from accidental butt in 3rd). Santa Cruz going on the hunt, can’t find his man. Mares, 10-9 (40-36)
Round 5: Mares looking to counter every time Santa Cruz comes forward, making him pay. Smothers him now. Who thought Mares would be the boss tonight? Santa Cruz grins. Gets off a couple of shots. Good round. Santa Cruz just, 10-9 (49-46)
Round 6: Both men trade punches, Mares smothers again, looking to take away Santa Cruz’s range. Can Mares maintain this energy level? Pace drops, both men go to the jabs center ring. Hard round to score. Santa Cruz, 10-9 (58-56)
Round 7: Mares all over Santa Cruz once more, they get tied up. They box center ring. Heated exchange. They go to war again, no significant blows administered. Phenomenal work rate from both fighters – and only the 6th round! Santa Cruz gets off two right-hands. Mares feels them plenty. Santa Cruz, 10-9 (67-66)
Round 8: Mares smothers Santa Cruz once again, getting a bit sloppy in places. Boxing resumes. Santa Cruz starting to find his rhythm and jab. Mares chops away to the body. Making this a fight. Big right-hand from Santa Cruz! Right-hand from Mares! They open up, Mares gets tagged. Feels Santa Cruz’s power! Santa Cruz, 10-9 (76-76)
Round 9: Mares closing down the distance. To the body. Santa Cruz looking for those telling straight punches that are changing the fight. They trade again. They box, on the jab. Mares opens up. Last ten seconds is an absolute whirlwind of punches! Santa Cruz nicks it, 10-9 (86-85)
Round 10: Mares still sees himself as the bully in this one. Becoming a little less effective. Mares’ cut opening, bleeding out now. Santa Cruz jab landing more frequently. Mares left-hook lands home! They unload! And there goes the bell! Santa Cruz, 10-9 (96-94)
Round 11: All action this one. All action. Mares pressure, Santa Cruz right-hand gets in during exchange. Mares looks busy, but isn’t landing enough shots. Santa Cruz is finding his target more and more. Distance victory or knockout looming? Santa Cruz nicks it, 10-9 (106-103)
Round 12: They trade inside. Boom! Back and forth! Here they go! Santa Cruz lands some hurt on Mares, but his foe recovers. Final minute. Mares lands a right-hook, forces his man back into the ropes. Last twenty seconds, they throw endlessly. Crowd goes insane! What a fight, and what warriors we have just witnessed. We go to the scorecards…
Result: Santa Cruz wins via Majority Decision (117-111, 114-114, 117-111)
Boxing Base Scorecard: 115-113, Santa Cruz
Give us your take on Santa Cruz vs Mares in the comments, fight fans. We must retire to catch our breaths…
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