On this day: Leo Santa Cruz and one of his biggest rivals produced a battle for the ages.
Throughout his career, the Mexican has proven himself to be a truly formidable operator.
Blessed with exceptional speed and magnificent combinations, Santa Cruz delivers every single time he sets foot inside the ring.
And during a clash with his countryman, he gave the fans something truly special.
WOW: Manny Pacquiao was going to fight a scary KO artist, until an American star ruined his plans
Leo Santa Cruz and Abner Mares threw over 2000 punches in their first fight
On August 29, 2015, Leo Santa Cruz and Abner Mares went to war in front of a raucous crowd at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, USA.
For the entirety of the first half of the fight, the pair didn’t stop throwing punches, with each man landing blow after blow.
However, in the second portion of the contest, Santa Cruz began to take control, finding the target with snappy jabs and heavy left hooks.
But refusing to give in, Mares attacked the body, desperately trying to win the vacant WBA featherweight title that was on the line.
At the end of the bout, Santa Cruz was declared the winner, via majority decision, in a fight in which, according to Compubox, he threw 1057 punches, connecting with 373, and his opponent threw 980, landing 227.
Leo Santa Cruz beat Abner Mares again in the rematch
Having put on such an epic fight, Santa Cruz and Mares had to run it back.
The pair clashed at the Staples Center once again on June 9, 2018.
For the second time, the Mexican sensations left the spectators on their feet as they traded monstrous blows.
After surviving his opponent’s early storm, Santa Cruz began to assert his size, unleashing brutal blows, en route to a unanimous decision victory.