Despite his unbeaten record, Mexican prospect Leo Santa Cruz had a lot to prove last night (Aug. 29, 2015) and did so in excellent fashion, showing surprising boxing skill in addition to his trademark volume punching en route to a win over Abner Mares.
Mares (29-2, 15 KO) surprised many by coming out like a house on fire, bullying his way inside and trading brutal shots to the head and body with the taller man. After two impressive rounds, however, Santa Cruz (31-0-1, 17 KO) started to get the better of the exchanges, prompting Mares to work from the outside.