With an excited crowd cheering him on, WBA featherweight champion Leo Santa Cruz defeated Kiko Martinez by fifth round TKO at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA.
Launching into action early, Santa Cruz nearly closed the show midway through the opening stanza by connecting with a battery of punches that sent Martinez to the canvas. Regaining his footing, Martinez rose and withstood a second wave of punishment to close and head into the second. As action continued, instead of utilizing his substantial height and reach advantage, Santa Cruz continued to exchange in the pocket over the course of the next two rounds with Martinez finding his way inside to launch his own assault and ultimately bloodying the champion in the third.
Unwilling to back down, Santa Cruz reloaded and continued to wear down the aging challenger. The end of action would come in round five when Santa Cruz rained down blow after blow as Martinez retreated against the ropes. Seeing enough, Referee Raul Caiz Sr. called for an end to action.
“I wanted to give the fans a great fight” said Santa Cruz post-fight. “We went toe-to-toe, and he’s a tough fighter. I knew I could hurt him with a right hand. He’s fighter and when he’s knocked down he going to come back.”
With Carl Frampton defeating Scott Quigg by questionable decision in England earlier today, Santa Cruz responded to a possible showdown with Frampton or a rematch with Abner Mares.
“I am up for anyone. I want the rematch with Mares. I’m ready for whoever, whenever they are ready and when my team says I’m ready to go.”
Opening the telecast, Hugo Ruiz shocked Julio Ceja to win by first round knockout. Attendance for the event was reported as 7,780.
For post-fight interviews with Leo Santa Cruz and Hugo Ruiz courtesy of BadCulture.net, click here.
Photo courtesy Trapp Photos/Showtime