Léo Santa Cruz
Léo Santa Cruz | |
|---|---|
| Born | Léodegario Santa Cruz August 10, 1988 |
| Nationality | Mexican |
| Other names | El Terremoto ("The Earthquake") |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | |
| Height | 5 ft 7+1⁄2 in (171 cm) |
| Reach | 69 in (175 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 35 |
| Wins | 33 |
| Wins by KO | 18 |
| Losses | 1 |
| Draws | 1 |
Léodegario "Léo" Santa Cruz (born August 10, 1988) is a Mexican professional boxer. He is a four-time world champion in three weight classes, having held the WBA (Super) featherweight title since January 2017, and previously from 2015 to 2016. Additionally he held the IBF bantamweight title from 2012 to 2013, and the WBC super bantamweight title from 2013 to 2015.
As of May 2017, Santa Cruz is ranked as the world's ninth best boxer, pound for pound, by the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board (TBRB).[1] He is also ranked as the world's best featherweight by The Ring magazine,[2] BoxRec,[3] and the TBRB.[4]
Amateur career
As an amateur, Santa Cruz compiled a record of 148 wins and 7 losses.[5]
Professional career
Bantamweight
Early career
On October 21, 2010 Santa Cruz beat the veteran James Owens at the Martin's Valley Mansion in Cockeysville, Maryland.[6]
In March 2011, Santa Cruz knocked out the veteran Stephane Jamoye to win the vacant WBC Youth World Bantamweight Championship.[7]
On June 2, 2012 Santa Cruz beat Africa's Vusi Malinga to win the IBF World Bantamweight Championship. This bout was televised on a Showtime boxing card.[8] After winning the IBF World Bantamweight belt, Santa Cruz defended his title against Morel, Zaleta and Guevara to finish 2012 with 5 wins including 3 title defenses. His last bout versus Guevara returned boxing to CBS after a 15-year absence.[9]
On February 12, 2013, Santa Cruz vacated his IBF bantamweight belt to move up to junior featherweight.[10]
Super Bantamweight
Santa Cruz vs. Terrazas
Santa Cruz beat reigning titleholder Victor Terrazas in a third-round technical knockout to win the WBC World Super Bantamweight Championship at the StubHub Center in Carson, California on August 24, 2013.[11][Video 1]
Santa Cruz vs. Seda
Santa Cruz made a voluntary defence in December 2013 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas against Cesar Seda (25-1, 17 KOs). Santa Cruz knocked Seda down once in the fifth-round as he went on to win a unanimous decision when the three judges scored it 117-110, 116-111, 115-112 in his favor. The fight took place on the undercard of Broner-Maidana world title bout.[12]
Santa Cruz vs. Mijares
Santa Cruz next fought veteran Mexican contender Cristian Mijares (49-7-2, 24 KOs) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Paradise, Nevada on March 8, 2014. The fight went the distance as Santa Cruz won on all three judges scorecards (120-108, 120-108, 119-109). Santa Cruz showed respect in the post fight interview to Mijares, who he looked up to before he won his first world title, "Mijares is a great boxer. I came to do what I had to do to win. Mijares had great experience. He's a lefty. I had to be ready. We practiced everything to put on a great fight." The fight took place on the Canelo-Angulo undercard.[13]
Santa Cruz vs. Roman
On September 13, Santa Cruz fought at the MGM Grand again, this time on the Mayweather-Maidana II undercard. He stopped Mexican Manuel Roman (17-2-3, 6 KOs) in round two to retain his world title.[14][15]
Santa Cruz vs. Ruiz
On January 17, 2015 Santa Cruz defended his WBC World Super Bantamweight title Jesus Ruiz (33-5-5, 22 KOs) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The fight was announced a month earlier.[16] Santa Cruz was criticized for fighting another low-level regarded opponent prior to the fight. Santa Cruz landed 277 punches to 120 by Ruiz, landing powerful head shots to force the stoppage 29 seconds into the 8th round. At the time of stoppage, Santa Cruz was ahead on all three judges scorecards (69-63, 69-64, 69-64). Santa Cruz earned a purse of $750,000 compared to Ruiz's $50,000. He then defended himself in the post-fight interview, "It was a war, but we came prepared. He gave me a tough fight. We went after him and stopped him. I know he was prepared."[17]
Featherweight
Santa Cruz vs. Cayetano
Santa Cruz moved up to featherweight and fought his first fight on May 2, 2015. His opponent was announced as Mexican Jose Cayetano (17-3, 8 KOs) in a scheduled 10 round bout on the Mayweather-Pacquiao super fight undercard at the MGM Grand Arena. Santa Cruz won every round on all three judges scorecards (100-90, 3 times). Still undefeated, Santa Cruz boasted a record of 30 wins, no losses and 1 draw, with 17 inside the distance.[18]
Santa Cruz vs. Mares
Santa Cruz won by majority decision against Abner Mares (29-1-1, 15 KOs) in a potential fight of the year candidate to win the vacant WBA (Super) Featherweight and vacant WBC Diamond Featherweight titles on August 29, 2015. 13,109 fans were in attendance at the Staples Center. Judge Max Deluca had it a draw at 114-114 whilst judges Jesse Reyes and Steve Morrow scored it 117-111 for Santa Cruz. “I was surprised Abner came out so strong. He came right at me but we figured him out and we got the win. I stayed outside with the jab. We were able to take control.”, said Santa Cruz in the post fight interview.[19][20][21]
Santa Cruz vs. Martinez
On February 28, 2016 Santa Cruz made the first defense of his featherweight belt by defeating Kiko Martinez (35-6, 26 KOs) via fifth-round TKO at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Martinez was knocked down twice in Round 1, but beat the referee's count and continued to back Santa Cruz up in an entertaining slugfest. Both fighter combined threw over 1,000 punches in less than five full rounds. Santa Cruz hurt Martinez in round 5 when he cornered him and hurt him with right hands. Santa Cruz continued with a series of combinations until referee Raul Caiz Sr. jumped in at 2:09 as Martinez stopped throwing back.[22]
Santa Cruz vs. Frampton
In a potential fight of the year candidate, Santa Cruz lost his WBA (super) Featherweight title to Carl Frampton on July 30, 2016 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn via a 12-round majority decision win before an crowd of 9,062. One judge scored it a 114-114 draw but the others made Frampton the winner, 116-112 and 117-111. Frampton had a higher accuracy rate, despite both fighters landing equal amount of punches. According to CompuBox stats, Frampton landed 242 of 668 punches (36 percent), whilst Santa Cruz connected on 255 of 1,002 blows (25 percent). 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.[23][24] The fight averaged 480,000 and peaked at 549,000 viewers.[25]
Santa Cruz vs. Frampton II
A rematch was confirmed between Santa Cruz and Frampton in October to take place. 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 January 28, 2017. 10,085 were in attendance as Santa Cruz regained his title with a majority decision (114-114, 115-113, 115-113).[26] Santa Cruz and Frampton immediately discussed interest in a third fight, possibly in Frampton's hometown of Belfast.[27][28] Frampton earned a purse of $1 million compared to $900,000 that Santa Cruz received. Frampton only landed 133 of his 592 punches thrown (22%) whereas Santa Cruz landed 230 of his 884 thrown (26%).[29][30] Nielsen Media Research reported the fight averaged 587,000 and peaked at 643,000 viewers.[31]
Santa Cruz vs. Mares II
On April 3, 2017 the World Boxing Association ordered a rematch between Santa Cruz and their "regular" champion Abner Mares (30-2-1, 15 KOs). This was done as part of WBA's ongoing plan to reduce the number of world titles. Mares became mandatory challenger and "regular" titleholder after winning a split decision against Argentine boxer Jesus Cuellar in December 2016.[32] Due to the negotiations taking too long, the WBA ordered a deal be made by July 11, 2017 or the fight would go to purse bids on July 21. The fight was supposedly set for September 9 at the Staples Center, but nothing materialized.[33] Due to the Srisaket Sor Rungvisai-Roman González rematch taking place on the September 9 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 October 7 instead.[34]
Professional boxing record
| 35 fights | 33 wins | 1 loss |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 18 | 0 |
| By decision | 15 | 1 |
| Draws | 1 | |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | — | — |  Abner Mares
|
— | – (12) | Oct 7, 2017 |  Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
|
Defending WBA (Super) featherweight title |
| 35 | Win | 33–1–1 |  Carl Frampton
|
MD | 12 | Jan 28, 2017 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
|
Won WBA (Super) featherweight title |
| 34 | Loss | 32–1–1 | Carl Frampton
|
MD | 12 | Jul 30, 2016 | Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S.
|
Lost WBA (Super) featherweight title |
| 33 | Win | 32–0–1 |  Kiko Martínez
|
TKO | 5 (12), 2:09 | Feb 27, 2016 | Honda Center, Anaheim, California, U.S.
|
Retained WBA (Super) featherweight title |
| 32 | Win | 31–0–1 | Abner Mares
|
MD | 12 | Aug 29, 2015 | Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
|
Won vacant WBA (Super) featherweight title |
| 31 | Win | 30–0–1 | Jose Cayetano
|
UD | 10 | May 2, 2015 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
|
|
| 30 | Win | 29–0–1 | Jesus Ruiz
|
TKO | 8 (12), 0:29 | Jan 17, 2015 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
|
Retained WBC super bantamweight title |
| 29 | Win | 28–0–1 | Manuel Roman
|
KO | 2 (12), 0:55 | Sep 13, 2014 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
|
Retained WBC super bantamweight title |
| 28 | Win | 27–0–1 | Cristian Mijares
|
UD | 12 | Mar 8, 2014 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
|
Retained WBC super bantamweight title |
| 27 | Win | 26–0–1 |  César Seda
|
UD | 12 | Dec 14, 2013 | Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
|
Retained WBC super bantamweight title |
| 26 | Win | 25–0–1 | Victor Terrazas
|
TKO | 3 (12), 2:09 | Aug 24, 2013 | StubHub Center, Carson, California, U.S.
|
Won WBC super bantamweight title |
| 25 | Win | 24–0–1 |  Alexander Muñoz
|
TKO | 5 (10), 1:56 | May 4, 2013 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
|
Won vacant USBA super bantamweight title |
| 24 | Win | 23–0–1 | Alberto Guevara
|
UD | 12 | Dec 15, 2012 | Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
|
Retained IBF bantamweight title |
| 23 | Win | 22–0–1 | Victor Zaleta
|
TKO | 9 (12), 1:42 | Nov 10, 2012 | Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
|
Retained IBF bantamweight title |
| 22 | Win | 21–0–1 | Eric Morel
|
RTD | 5 (12), 3:00 | Sep 15, 2012 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
|
Retained IBF bantamweight title |
| 21 | Win | 20–0–1 |  Vusi Malinga
|
UD | 12 | Jun 2, 2012 | Home Depot Center, Carson, California, U.S.
|
Won vacant IBF bantamweight title |
| 20 | Win | 19–0–1 | Alejandro Hernández
|
RTD | 4 (10), 0:10 | Jan 21, 2012 | Bodega Del Boxeo, Ensenada, Mexico
|
|
| 19 | Win | 18–0–1 | Jorge Romero
|
TKO | 3 (8), 1:10 | Nov 26, 2011 | Plaza de Toros, Mexico City, Mexico
|
|
| 18 | Win | 17–0–1 |  Everth Briceno
|
TKO | 11 (12), 1:58 | Jul 30, 2011 | International Center, Mazatlán, Mexico
|
Retained WBC Youth interim bantamweight title |
| 17 | Win | 16–0–1 | Jose Lopez
|
KO | 5 (8), 2:35 | Jun 3, 2011 | Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
|
|
| 16 | Win | 15–0–1 |  Stephane Jamoye
|
KO | 6 (10) | Mar 26, 2011 | Instituto de la Juventud, Xalapa, Mexico
|
Won vacant WBC Youth interim bantamweight title |
| 15 | Win | 14–0–1 | James Owens
|
TKO | 1 (6), 1:14 | Oct 21, 2010 | Martin's Valley Mansion, Cockeysville, Maryland, U.S.
|
|
| 14 | Win | 13–0–1 | Jose Angel Cota
|
TKO | 3 (8), 1:35 | Jun 3, 2010 | Casino, Commerce, California, U.S.
|
|
| 13 | Win | 12–0–1 | Juan Jose Beltran
|
TKO | 3 (8), 2:17 | Dec 17, 2009 | Casino, Commerce, California, U.S.
|
|
| 12 | Win | 11–0–1 | Julio Valadez
|
KO | 1 (6), 1:22 | Nov 3, 2009 | Casino, Commerce, California, U.S.
|
|
| 11 | Win | 10–0–1 | Robert DaLuz
|
UD | 6 | Aug 22, 2009 | Casino Resort and Spa, Pala, California, U.S.
|
|
| 10 | Win | 9–0–1 | Jonathan Velardez
|
UD | 6 | Jul 10, 2009 | Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
|
|
| 9 | Win | 8–0–1 |  Jose Garcia Bernal
|
UD | 6 | Mar 7, 2009 | Valencia Ballroom, York, Pennsylvania, U.S.
|
|
| 8 | Win | 7–0–1 | Adrian Aleman
|
UD | 4 | Sep 19, 2008 | Star of the Desert Arena, Primm, Nevada, U.S.
|
|
| 7 | Win | 6–0–1 | Gino Escamilla
|
UD | 6 | Jul 25, 2008 | Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
|
|
| 6 | Win | 5–0–1 | Daniel Quevedo
|
UD | 4 | Mar 28, 2008 | Industry Hills Expo Center, City of Industry, California, U.S.
|
|
| 5 | Win | 4–0–1 | Jose Pacheco
|
KO | 2 (4), 1:06 | Jan 4, 2008 | Alameda Swap Meet, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
|
|
| 4 | Win | 3–0–1 |  Elton Dharry
|
UD | 4 | Nov 23, 2007 | Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Cabazon, California, U.S.
|
|
| 3 | Win | 2–0–1 | Joseph Rios
|
UD | 4 | Oct 5, 2007 | Cliff Castle Casino Hotel, Camp Verde, Arizona, U.S.
|
|
| 2 | Draw | 1–0–1 | Rodrigo Hernandez
|
MD | 4 | Jan 5, 2007 | Dickerson's Event Center, Las Cruces, New Mexico, U.S.
|
|
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Pedro Silva
|
KO | 2 (4), 1:56 | Oct 13, 2006 | Palo Duro Creek Golf Course, Nogales, Arizona, U.S.
|
Professional debut |
See also
References
- ^ "P4P". Transnational Boxing Rankings Board. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
- ^ "Ratings". The Ring. January 31, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
- ^ "Boxer Ratings". BoxRec. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
- ^ "Rankings". Transnational Boxing Rankings Board. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
- ^ Max Boxing - Other Boxing News - The Diary of Dunkin
- ^ 3 More Rounds | Leo Santa Cruz To Headline June 3 Fight Card
- ^ Leo Santa Cruz Stops Stephane Jamoye in Six Rounds - Boxing News
- ^ FOUR WARNED - Leo Santa Cruz's star shined the brightest - By Steve Kim
- ^ Leo Santa Cruz outpoints Alberto Guevara, defends IBF belt - ESPN
- ^ Leo Santa Cruz moving up to 122 pounds, vacates IBF bantamweight title - ESPN
- ^ Lance Pugmire (August 25, 2013). "Jhonny Gonzalez has an answer for Abner Mares: a knockout". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Christ, Scott (2013-12-14). "Santa Cruz retains against Seda". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 2017-01-30.
- ^ "Santa Cruz dominates Mijares, keeps WBC belt". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2017-01-30.
- ^ Christ, Scott (2014-09-13). "Santa Cruz knocks out Roman in two". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 2017-01-30.
- ^ "Santa Cruz crushes Roman to send warning to Frampton and Quigg". Mail Online. Retrieved 2017-01-30.
- ^ "Leo Santa Cruz vs. Jesus Ruiz possible for January 17th at MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada - Boxing News". Boxing News 24. 2014-12-30. Retrieved 2017-01-30.
- ^ "Santa Cruz stops Ruiz with eighth-round KO". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2017-01-30.
- ^ Loop, Nate. "Leo Santa Cruz vs. Jose Cayetano: Winner, Scorecard and Reaction". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2017-01-30.
- ^ "Santa Cruz vs Mares Results & Highlights | Aug 29, 2015". PBC Boxing. Retrieved 2017-01-30.
- ^ Center, Manouk Akopyan at Staples (2015-08-30). "Leo Santa Cruz outslugs Abner Mares in potential fight of the year". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2017-01-30.
- ^ "Leo Santa Cruz defeats Abner Mares to remain unbeaten". Sky Sports. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
- ^ "Santa Cruz defends title with TKO of Martinez". Retrieved 2016-07-31.
- ^ "Carl Frampton beats Leo Santa Cruz to win WBA world featherweight title in New York". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2016-07-31.
- ^ "Frampton takes title in slugfest vs. Santa Cruz". Retrieved 2016-07-31.
- ^ "Carl Frampton-Leo Santa Cruz Had Ratings Peak of 549,000 - Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
- ^ "Frampton vs. Santa Cruz 2 Results". www.fightnewswire.com. Retrieved 2017-01-28.
- ^ "Frampton rematch with Santa Cruz set for Las Vegas in January". ITV News. Retrieved 2016-10-24.
- ^ Ltd, Vitalnetwork. "Vital Boxing | Frampton v Santa Cruz Date and Venue Confirmed". www.vitalboxing.com. Retrieved 2016-10-24.
{{cite web}}: C1 control character in|title=at position 38 (help) - ^ "Santa Cruz regains title with majority decision win". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2017-01-29.
- ^ "Leo Santa Cruz defeats Carl Frampton by a majority decision in their rematch - The Ring". The Ring. 2017-01-28. Retrieved 2017-01-29.
- ^ "Showtime wins head-to-head ratings matchup with HBO - The Ring". The Ring. 2017-01-31. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
- ^ "Leo Santa Cruz vs. Abner Mares Rematch Ordered By The WBA - Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2017-04-04.
- ^ "Leo Santa Cruz vs. Abner Mares Rematch Purse Bid on July 21 - Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2017-07-05.
- ^ "Schaefer: Santa Cruz vs. Mares II Announcement Getting Close - Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2017-07-29.
Video references
External links
- Boxing record for Léo Santa Cruz from BoxRec (registration required)
- Boxers from Michoacán
- World Boxing Association champions
- World Boxing Council champions
- International Boxing Federation champions
- World bantamweight boxing champions
- World featherweight boxing champions
- World super-bantamweight boxing champions
- Bantamweight boxers
- Super-bantamweight boxers
- Featherweight boxers
- 1988 births
- Living people
- People from Huetamo
- Mexican male boxers