Last night Leo Santa Cruz and Abner Mares put on a match that showed all that boxing has to offer and by the final bell it left fans wanting more.
Long gone are the days of 15 round fights but last night’s fight seemed one befitting of a throwback style. Whether you enjoy the sweet science of boxing, which Santa Cruz showcased in the 9th-12th rounds, or the brawling of the first 4 rounds, this fight had something for all boxing fans.
HIGHLIGHTS: @leosantacruz2 Claims King of LA Title with Win over @abnermares. #PBConESPN https://t.co/CtjgZvIRxX
— PBC (@premierboxing) August 30, 2015
Mares came out on fire in the first 4 rounds and unleashed a barrage of punches that had Santa Cruz pinned against the ropes and searching for counter punching angles. Then the gas tank showed empty for Mares and Santa Cruz proved his detractors wrong by out boxing Abner Mares. I often criticize Santa Cruz for being a ‘pity pat’ fighter but last night that style led him to a convincing win. The final scores read 117-111, 117-111 and 114-114 in favor of Santa Cruz but it was hard to leave that fight not thinking that Mares could do better if he focused a bit more of his conditioning.
That’s just one reason boxing fans should be exited to see this rivalry turn into a trilogy. Promoters should be excited because the two Mexican-American fighter packed the Staples Center and drew a good amount of casual viewers to the PBC on ESPN event. Both fighters should go on to collect a few more victories in the next few months, which could set up a second fight early next summer.
Trilogies are a staple of boxing history and it’d be great for Mares & Santa Cruz to restore the tradition of a weight class’ best fighters dueling several times for superiority.
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