SANTA CRUZ SCORES IMPRESSIVE WIN OVER MARES; DONAIRE WANTS TO FACE SANTA CRUZ
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 30 Aug 2015
WBC super bantamweight champion Leo Santa Cruz scored an impressive twelve round majority decision over former three-division title holder Abner Mares in a classic featherweight showdown at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Sunday, Manila Time.
The undefeated Santa Cruz (30-0-1, 17 KO) redeemed himself after he was criticized for his showing in his last three fights which included what was described as ?a couple of lousy title defenses at 122 pounds, with his last fight at least being a featherweight trial run.?
Some boxing aficionados believe Mares (29-1-1, 15 KO) who had fought some of the top contenders from bantamweight to super bantamweight is past his best but he put on a gallant performance against a truly gifted Santa Cruz.
Mares started off aggressively as he attacked with some vicious body shots as Santa Cruz tried to counter with combinations.
The second round was far more even as Santa Cruz connects with a solid uppercut and a left hook just before the bell ending the round.
Santa Cruz slowly began to assert himself and turn things around as both men threw some big shots along the way with the lanky Santa Cruz finding the range and connecting with some stinging right hands.
In an action-packed bout Santa Cruz continued to nail Mares with some stinging counter-punches and as both fighters kept swining at the bell the crowd rises to its feet and gives them a standing ovation for a fight that lived up to its hype.
Two of the judges ? Jesse Reyes and Steve Morrow had Santa Cruz a comfortable winner 117-111 while the third judge, Max De Luca inexplicably scored it even at 114-114.
Former super bantamweight champion Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire told the New Standard/boxingmirror.com that he didn?t watch the whole fight but noticed both fighters were cut.
Donaire said he would like to fight Santa Cruz but that it would be difficult to overcome the differences between his promoter, Top Rank?s Bob Arum and the handler of Santa Cruz, Al Haymon.
Donaire said ?the power wasn?t there? and he feels he could beat Santa Cruz if ever a fight materializes but that right now he is focused on his title fight against WBA champion Scott Quigg set for November 21 in Manchester, England.
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