LAS VEGAS: Leo Santa Cruz (left), dominated former champion Cristian Mijares to retain his World Boxing Council title with a 12-round unanimous decision in an all-Mexican super bantamweight matchup yesterday.
The 25-year-old Santa Cruz is coming into his prime and he showed it by overpowering the veteran Mijares, winning on all three judges’ scorecards and improving to 27 wins, no losses and one draw. Two judges scored it 120-108 and one judge had it 119-109.
Southpaw Mijares, 32, was completely outclassed at the MGM Grand Garden Arena as he dropped to 49-8-2 with 24 knockouts.
Mijares, who was fighting in the 12th title fight of his career, is a former WBC and WBA world super flyweight champ.
“Mijares is a great boxer,” Santa Cruz said. “I came to do what I had to do to win. We practiced everything to put on a great fight.”
This was the second title defence for Santa Cruz. He won the crown in August with a third-round knockout of compatriot Victor Terrazas.
Santa Cruz defended the title in December, taking a unanimous decision over Puerto Rican southpaw Cesar Seda.
AFP
