Highlights
—Abner Mares came out on fire in Round 1, smothering Leo Santa Cruz in punches, unleashing a fierce body attack, a pace and approach he maintained for several rounds.
—A clash of heads in Round 3 opened a nasty cut that covered Mares’ face in blood throughout the fight.
—By the middle rounds, Santa Cruz began to assert himself with a patient, composed attack, picking Mares apart by landing the cleaner shots and right hands over Mares’ jab. It was enough for him to earn a majority decision victory by scores of 117-111 (twice) and 114-114.
Abner Mares got off to a blazing start only to get burned in the end, dropping a majority decision to Leo Santa Cruz at Staples Center.
Mares bullied Santa Cruz early, unleashing a fierce, relentless body attack and continually bulldozing Santa Cruz into the ropes.
Santa Cruz, normally a pressure fighter, displayed impressive composure, however, keeping calm and patiently breaking down Mares.
By the middle rounds, Santa Cruz was landing the sharper, more effective shots, hammering Mares with right hands over Mares’ jab.
Santa Cruz began to use to his length and fight from the outside, pulling away in the fight en route to winning a majority decision by scores of 117-111 (twice) and 114-114.
After a tough fight, Santa Cruz gained a majority decision by scores of 117-111 (twice) and 114-114. (Suzanne Teresa / Premier Boxing Champions)
