- 5/27/2025
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00:00They are both inspirational young men that share a commitment to their families and their
00:28profession.
00:29My mom and I, we had this talk, came to this country with no money and now headlining a
00:34big event.
00:36My mom broke down in tears saying how proud she was of me and I could only say the same
00:41thing with my mom.
00:42One of my brothers boxers, Roberto, he got sick, they told him it was lupus.
00:48He's always like with pain and me seeing him like that, I suffer.
00:52It's more harder than other things I do in the gym and I will do anything to find a cure.
00:58But don't let their compassion outside the ring deceive you.
01:04Inside the ropes, their ferocity and aggression has the boxing world on notice.
01:14Abner Matas has rapidly earned belts in three weight classes against formidable competition.
01:20Tonight marks his sixth straight title fight as he faces two-time champion Johnny Gonzalez.
01:26Leo Santa Cruz has been willing to take on anyone.
01:30Santa Cruz tags him and down he goes.
01:32Santa Cruz, a blistering left hook.
01:34Now he eyes the prize at Super Bantamweight and a second division title versus veteran
01:39champion Victor Terrazas.
01:42Two undefeated boxers fighting for something far greater than themselves.
01:47Next on Showtime Championship Boxing.
01:56All right, fans, here we go.
01:59It's time for the bout you've all been waiting for.
02:04The crowd going wild.
02:08You can't drop a look at his legs.
02:11Oh, they're already falling in it.
02:13Lays it, laying it on, pouring it on.
02:15Down goes Frodo.
02:17The weight by 15 hertz is down.
02:20Oh, down goes Gonzalez for the first time in his career.
02:23A shot by Maynard Holyfield.
02:26Castillo's in trouble.
02:34What a fight.
02:37It's Showtime.
02:42Good evening, everyone.
02:43A beautiful summer night here in Southern California.
02:46We're about 15 miles south of downtown Los Angeles as we get set for a big night of action
02:52here on Showtime.
02:54Two high-level title fights with two headliners who are all action every time out.
03:01And we come to you tonight once again from Carson, California, as we're at the StubHub Center,
03:06a terrific venue for boxing and tennis.
03:08It's our second trip here this summer.
03:10Once again, we expect a big, boisterous crowd.
03:13The fans here in Southern California know a good fight, and they have filled this stadium
03:17to witness a great night of boxing in the open air.
03:22And hi, everybody.
03:24I'm Brian Kenney.
03:25Welcome to the start of a very busy season here on Showtime Championship Boxing.
03:29Abnemaris has won title belts in three different weight classes and climbed into the top five
03:35of the Ring Magazine pound-for-pound rankings.
03:37Now, pound-for-pound ratings aren't the most scientific of lists, but it's a good, if rough,
03:41indication of his reputation.
03:43And keep in mind, he has won those three world titles at 118, 122, and 126
03:48in the space of the last two years.
03:51Tonight, Maris with another high-level world-class challenge, two-time titlist,
03:55Johnny Gonzalez.
03:56Let's bring in the team.
03:57Al Bernstein, Mauro Ranallo, and Paulie Malinaggi.
03:59And Al, let's start there.
04:00Maris is on a roll, but this isn't some opponent.
04:03This is Johnny Gonzalez.
04:04What do you expect?
04:05Absolutely not.
04:06This should be a really interesting fight.
04:07By the way, Abnemaris has been on Showtime so many times, I think more than me, actually.
04:11So we've watched him develop as a fighter.
04:14And what we've seen is a really terrific young man who has adapted his style
04:20and has taken on many different kinds of styles.
04:22And what makes this fascinating tonight is that he could be the Abnemaris
04:27we saw in the last fight against Daniel Ponce de Leon,
04:30going back to his boxer-puncher roots,
04:32or he could be the Abnemaris that we saw in the previous fights before that
04:36with a very aggressive, mauling kind of style, trying to get on the inside of
04:40Johnny Gonzalez.
04:41As for Johnny Gonzalez, with all the power that he brings to this fight,
04:46and 54 KO's and 54 wins, we could see the Johnny Gonzalez who has a lethal left hook
04:51and wants to put fighters out and sometimes gets put out himself.
04:55Or we may see the Johnny Gonzalez who is big, tall, has a height and reach advantage,
04:59who will box Abnemaris.
05:01So it's going to be interesting to see which one of both of those fighters shows up tonight.
05:05That's in the main event in the opening bout.
05:07It's Leo Santacruz taking on Victor Terrazas.
05:10And Santacruz is on that Maris trail.
05:12He's 25 years old, Paul.
05:15Tonight, he moves up in weight, tries to take another belt.
05:18What type of scrap do you expect?
05:20You know, BK, becoming a star is actually a good way to put it.
05:22This guy's a young man. He's going for his second world title tonight.
05:25He's already been a world champion at Bantamweight.
05:27But it's not just about winning the world title.
05:30He's got also a fan-friendly style.
05:32He's got an attacking style.
05:34He's an offensive kind of fighter.
05:36He's busy, but yet he's not reckless.
05:38He throws the correct punches.
05:40He throws them from where he's not going to take too many risks,
05:42but yet he's busy enough to be entertaining.
05:44And with a nickname like Terremoto, how can you not root for him?
05:46One of the best nicknames in boxing, Terremoto meaning earthquake.
05:49Tonight, going for his second world title against Victor Terrazas.
05:52You know, Terrazas is a guy who's not going to give up the title very easily.
05:55He's been a professional boxer for 10 years,
05:57and he finally just got that elusive first world title.
06:00He won a close decision over Christian Mijares,
06:03who is a world champion many boxing fans will be familiar with.
06:06So this is a guy who's not ready to just show up for the payday.
06:10He's ready to defend the world championship.
06:12It took him a decade to get that world championship.
06:14He's finally got it, and it's probably Leo Santa Cruz's best opponent to date.
06:18It's a small earthquake, but it's an earthquake nonetheless.
06:21He's coming at it with broad shoulders, tall kid.
06:23It's one of those earthquakes that, instead of lasting about 5-8 seconds,
06:26may last you the 12 rounds.
06:29Look, all these guys in these weight classes,
06:31and you can see Jumps more, 118, 122, 126.
06:34These guys have all won titles, but they don't seem to get a break.
06:37It's always like one titlist or former titlist after another.
06:40Yeah, Abner Matas is a perfect example.
06:42Other than super middleweight champion Karl Froch,
06:45one would be hard-pressed to find any other pugilist
06:47that has faced the kind of schedule that Matas has.
06:50If you look back at his last seven fights,
06:53he's gone 6-0 and 1.
06:55All of those fights have been against former or current champions,
07:00and there is no such thing as a tune-up bout for this well-oiled fighting machine.
07:04He says, in fact, that it's this level of competition that is making him better.
07:09Brian, when you look at his age, he's 27.
07:12He's in his physical prime. He really is a star on the rise.
07:15We were talking on Showtime Extreme.
07:17I know, Paulie, earlier we were talking about all those guys.
07:19It's all different styles, too, that he's facing, and he's getting wins.
07:21Yeah, right-handers, southpaws, pressure guys, boxers.
07:25He knows how to get dirty when he needs to.
07:27Really, he's showing a lot of versatility,
07:29and you need that to last this long at a high level.
07:31All right, again, big stuff here tonight.
07:33Guys, go get ready right now.
07:34We ask you to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages,
07:37and on Twitter, we'll feature another hashtag battle throughout the night.
07:40The question, September 14th,
07:42it is, of course, the junior welterweight championship of the world.
07:45Who will win that fight?
07:46Who will win the world title at 140?
07:48The champion, Danny Swift Garcia,
07:50or Lucas the Machine Matisse?
07:53If you think the unbeaten Garcia wins,
07:55tweet hashtag SwiftWins,
07:57or if you think it'll be Lucas Matisse,
07:59then you can tweet hashtag MachineWins.
08:02Go to Twitter right now, send us your responses,
08:04and we will update you throughout the night.
08:06Again, we are outside in a ballpark, as they say here, fellas,
08:10and here are the weather conditions, just to make you jealous,
08:12all across the country here.
08:14It is a beautiful, cool night now.
08:1666 degrees here, just outside of Los Angeles.
08:19Again, it's a slight wind.
08:20You don't feel it at all once you're in here,
08:22within the confines of the arena.
08:24Forecast is clear.
08:26A beautiful night for boxing here,
08:28and a gorgeous night, as you can see.
08:30So let's set the lineup for you here tonight.
08:32The main event, three-time world champion
08:34and three-division world champion Abnimaris,
08:36undefeated in 27 fights,
08:38puts his title on the line against the two-division
08:40former world champ, Johnny Gonzalez.
08:42And the opening bout, Victor Torresas
08:44defends his belt at 122 pounds
08:46against the rising star,
08:48Leo Santacruz.
08:50Mauro, take it away.
08:51Well, Leo Santacruz made a terrific impression
08:54in his Super Bantamweight debut back in May,
08:56but as Leo entered the ring,
08:58he was motivated by something much more important
09:01than titles and fame.
09:05For Leo Santacruz,
09:07boxing is more than just about wins and losses.
09:10It's about family.
09:12You can have money and everything,
09:14and it's not as important as family.
09:16We've been doing this sport since we were, like, kids.
09:20Boxing just reminds me of my whole family,
09:23because it's just been in our lives since we were small.
09:27That's all we did, boxing.
09:31There was a goal to become champions one day.
09:35But for Roberto Santacruz,
09:37his dream was cut short
09:39when doctors diagnosed him with a debilitating disease,
09:42lupus.
09:44It took all my dreams away.
09:47To be a good fighter,
09:49I couldn't do what I love.
09:51Right when we had to go to the fight,
09:53he got worse.
09:55The doctor said that his body wasn't responding.
09:59He had tubes down his throat,
10:01because he couldn't breathe on his own.
10:03He was dying.
10:05I was thinking, I'm going to the fight.
10:07I said, I prefer to die than being here suffering.
10:11So I told him, don't give up,
10:13and I'm going to go out there to the fight and win for you.
10:16And Robert, like, he couldn't talk anything,
10:18but he squeezed his hand, like, saying,
10:20okay, brother, I'm going to do it.
10:22I'm going to fight for my life.
10:24That night, the Santacruzes proved
10:26they are indeed a fighting family.
10:28He goes, tags him with the left hand, down he goes.
10:31Leo winning the world title,
10:33and his brother winning the fight for his life.
10:36When we found out that Leo won,
10:38you could see on Robert's face his big smile.
10:41I want to dedicate this belt to my brother.
10:44He's in the hospital right now.
10:46He's fighting for his life.
10:48That, I think, my tears,
10:50my tears, they came out,
10:52because that felt so, so good.
10:58Today, thanks to Leo's continued success in the ring,
11:01life, like Roberto's health, continues to improve.
11:05Everything I'm accomplished is like a dream come true.
11:09We've been struggling since we were small,
11:11not having enough food.
11:13My main thing was to get my mom out of the house
11:16so we could all live happy.
11:18My daughter, Delilah, ever since she was born,
11:20has changed my life.
11:22She makes me a better fighter,
11:24because I want to win so I can give her a good life.
11:27It's been really hard getting to this point,
11:30so I'm going to try to stay at this point as long as I can.
11:37The Santa Cruz family possesses an indomitable spirit
11:40both outside and inside the ring,
11:42where they are represented by the inexhaustible Leo,
11:45who turned 25 a couple of weeks ago.
11:47Tonight, he hopes to reap a belated B-Day gift,
11:49a second title in his many weight classes,
11:52and supporting him, as always,
11:54his significant other, his girlfriend,
11:56Maritza Amador, at ringside,
11:58waiting to see what comes to fruition
12:01as her man vies for a second world championship.
12:07His opponent is the champion, 30-year-old Victor Terrazas,
12:10picked himself up off the deck in the final round
12:12of his last outing to eke out a split-decision win
12:15over former two-division champ Christian Mijanes
12:18to capture the vacant WBC 122-pound title.
12:22That's the one vacated by Abner Marez
12:24when he moved up to 126.
12:28And now the numbers for this championship bout.
12:31Two that stand out are the height and reach advantage
12:34for Leo Santa Cruz.
12:36The question is, will he use them?
12:38He can use them, and he has fought from long range
12:41and done well, but sometimes he's tempted
12:43to get inside and brawl.
12:45And the rules for the two championship encounters.
12:47There is no standing eight-count, no three-knockdown rule.
12:50The referee or doctor can stop the fight.
12:52A fighter cannot be saved by the bell in any round.
12:55If an accidental foul causes a fight to end
12:57within four rounds, it's a no decision.
12:59After four rounds, they go to the scorecards
13:01for a technical decision.
13:04Let's go to Jimmy Lennon Jr. to kick things off.
13:11Ladies and gentlemen, a very good evening to you,
13:14and welcome to the StubHub Center
13:16here in Carson, California.
13:18As we have a big night of action coming your way,
13:20and it's all brought to you by Golden Boy Promotions
13:23and Showtime.
13:25Sponsored by Corona, La Cerveza Mas Fina,
13:29and AT&T, the nation's fastest
13:32and now most reliable 4G LTE network.
13:37This bout is sanctioned by the WBC President,
13:40Jose Suleiman, Supervisor Rudy Tellez.
13:43Introducing our three judges scoring this bout
13:46from ringside, from Villa Park, California, Max DeLuca.
13:50From Huntington Beach, California, Dr. James Jenkin.
13:54And from Tijuana, Baja, California, Mexico,
13:57Juan Carlos Pelayo.
14:00And our third man to the ring, he'll be giving instructions
14:03after the introductions, Dr. Lou Moretz.
14:08All right, fans, here we go.
14:1112 rounds of boxing for the WBC Superbattomweight
14:16Championship of the World.
14:21Introducing to you first, the challenger on my right,
14:24fighting out of the red corner, wearing black trunks,
14:28fighting out of Los Angeles, California,
14:30by way of Guetamo Michoacan Mexico.
14:36He weighed in at 121 and 3 quarter pounds.
14:39He is undefeated in his campaign to the ring
14:41with a record of 24 wins, no losses,
14:44one draw with 14 wins coming by way of knockouts.
14:49Ranked the WBC number one contender.
14:52Ladies and gentlemen, here is the undefeated
14:55former IBF Battomweight Champion of the World,
14:59Leo Terremoto Santacruz.
15:09And his opponent across the ring,
15:13the defending world champion on my left,
15:16fighting out of the blue corner, wearing black and white trunks,
15:19hailing from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
15:24His weight, 121 pounds.
15:27His record, 37 wins, two losses and one draw
15:31with 21 wins coming by way of knockout.
15:35And tonight, he is making the first defense of his title.
15:38Ladies and gentlemen, here is the WBC
15:41Superbattomweight Champion of the World,
15:44introducing Victor, the King of the Ring,
15:49Leo Terremoto.
15:56Once again, a referee in charge.
15:58And now, to give instructions, Dr. Lou Moret.
16:23In a venue that has housed two of the most memorable
16:26122-pound title fights of all time,
16:29Rafael Marquez versus Israel Vasquez, one and three.
16:33It's Victor Tenazos putting his 122-pound belt on the line
16:37against the fast-rising Leo Santacruz,
16:40looking for his second world title in his many weight classes.
16:43It should be a barn burner, the bell,
16:46and we are underway with Tenazos in the black and white.
16:49Santacruz in the black with red, green, and white.
16:52And immediately, Tenazos looking to establish the jab
16:55through the high guard of Santacruz.
17:02And already, the native of the Southland,
17:04hearing the chants of his surname, Santacruz.
17:09Tenazos understood that he was coming to Santacruz's
17:12home area to fight, but he felt his Mexican heritage
17:15would have some folks here rooting for him,
17:17and he also said, I want to make a mark in America,
17:19so I'm willing to go there.
17:21Nice right hand by Tenazos.
17:23And he's starting off with a big punch.
17:25And a nice counter right hand by Santacruz.
17:28The right uppercut as well connects by the champion, Tenazos.
17:31Santacruz going to the body,
17:33working the right hand to the body,
17:35so already lots of action in close, Paulie.
17:39What a surprise.
17:42Tenazos starting off much quicker than he normally does
17:45in fights, probably because he was forced to.
17:48And Tenazos, the second time he gets hit with a right hand
17:50on the way out, he's got to stop pulling out on the way out
17:52because he's a shorter man, so if he steps straight back
17:54on his way out after he throws punches,
17:57Santacruz can time him with those straight right hands.
17:59It's all about Santacruz controlling his last six fights.
18:02His 32 landed punches per round
18:04and 97 thrown per round are tops
18:06among all active championship caliber fighters.
18:09His 29 power punches landed.
18:1162 thrown are also tops,
18:13so you're seeing one of the best in Leo Santacruz
18:16in what should be his most formidable test to date
18:19against the veteran, his compatriot, Victor Tenazos.
18:38Santacruz, ranked number nine by Ring Magazine
18:41at 122 pounds, four and all,
18:43with two knockouts in world title fights
18:45as he sticks a stiff jab on the champion.
18:50Tenazos, ranked number seven by Ring Magazine.
18:55Santacruz has filled in well into the 122-pound division.
19:00Both men love the uppercut,
19:02and we're seeing it used often in this first round.
19:05And Tenazos seems to be a little more effective
19:07with the right uppercut in the opening round
19:09with 30 seconds left in the first round.
19:12Nick, there's one thing Santacruz is susceptible to
19:14on the inside, it's that uppercut,
19:16because he keeps those gloves in the same position
19:18as he would on the outside.
19:20On the inside, it's a little better to keep your palm down,
19:23so you're catching those uppercuts
19:25kind of like a catcher catches a pitch.
19:31An electric atmosphere and an electric start
19:34to this 122-pound title fight
19:36between champion Victor Tenazos,
19:38who ripped the left hook to the body,
19:40and challenger Leo Santacruz.
19:45Great action in round one,
19:46and one of the things Santacruz was able to do,
19:48as Paul had pointed out,
19:49was land the right hand as Tenazos pulls back,
19:53and that was an example of it.
19:55So, great start to this round.
19:57Let's take a look at the keys to victory
19:59for these young men and for Santacruz.
20:02Pushing the pace is important,
20:04he certainly did that in round one.
20:06He didn't actually establish the jab,
20:07he was able to walk right in,
20:09and he did well on the inside.
20:11We talked about the right hand, he landed,
20:13so he's off to a good start in that regard.
20:15As for Tenazos,
20:18he's got to keep his left hand up,
20:20he didn't in the first round,
20:21and that's why he got hit with the right hand.
20:23He has kept the fight, for the most part,
20:25in the center of the ring,
20:26and we talked about the uppercut,
20:27that's one thing he did do in round number one.
20:35Tenazos, the veteran, has the edge in experience,
20:39completing his 234th round as a professional,
20:42while Santacruz just finished his 131st round
20:46as a professional prize fighter.
20:48The bell in round two underway,
20:49and immediately Santacruz mixing it up,
20:51going upstairs with a right hand
20:52before attacking the body,
20:54and slips the jab through the guard.
20:56Typical fast start by Leo Santacruz in the first round.
21:01He gets right to work.
21:07Counter right hand by Tenazos.
21:10Santacruz has made this an inside fight,
21:13and, you know, that does help Tenazos a little bit,
21:16and there's that uppercut by Tenazos.
21:18And they exchange uppercuts.
21:20A plethora of uppercuts being thrown here
21:22in the early part of round two.
21:24It's the go-to punch for the champion.
21:26And here's the thing for Tenazos,
21:27he's landing good shots in spots,
21:29but he's staying on the inside,
21:30which is where Santacruz wants him.
21:32He's staying in the wheelhouse.
21:33You know, he lands his good shots,
21:34but he should be turning Santacruz to stepping out,
21:38you know, because Santacruz will do that.
21:40You know, he'll land on the way out,
21:42and he'll keep you there.
21:43Santacruz has a 3 1⁄2-inch reach advantage,
21:47and really, Tenazos wants to negate that
21:49by staying in close,
21:50and has had success with that uppercut.
21:52Well, here's the thing.
21:53In the beginning of the round,
21:54Tenazos threw some punches and stepped around.
21:56When he steps around after throwing a combination,
21:58it keeps Santacruz turning, and he's out of danger.
22:00When he steps straight back,
22:01like he did a few seconds ago,
22:02Santacruz will hit him with a straight right hand every time.
22:09Tenazos with 106 more rounds than Santacruz,
22:13so he's a more experienced fighter,
22:15but Santacruz is a veteran in any case.
22:19Tenazos has been down three times in his career.
22:22Santacruz just once,
22:24but the way they are throwing the leather tonight,
22:27those totals could grow.
22:29This has the makings of another classic in this venue.
22:34This is a recording.
22:35Yeah, exactly.
22:36Both guys have thrown some good body shots, guys.
22:38Besides the crazy offense to the head,
22:40there's some good body shots being slipped in there
22:42by both guys.
22:43Yeah.
22:44Final minute of the second round.
22:45Santacruz looking for the body,
22:47but he's getting busier upstairs
22:48and tempers Tenazos' face with a three-punch combination,
22:52and there's a left hook
22:53and another left hand by Santacruz.
22:56Mouse underneath Tenazos' right eye.
23:00They take turns throwing combinations,
23:02but Santacruz has already punished Tenazos
23:05as Paulie mentioned.
23:06That mouse is growing into a rat quickly.
23:09And that's the thing.
23:11But that's the thing.
23:12You can hit Santacruz,
23:13but if you stay there for the return,
23:16he will outthrow you every time.
23:25When you expect a wave of offense
23:27like you know you're going to get from Santacruz, Paulie,
23:30what is the best strategy
23:31as we will go into the final five seconds
23:34I'll get your thoughts into round three
23:36as it continues to be a scintillating affair here
23:39between Santacruz and Tenazos.
23:45Tenazos has used the uppercut effectively
23:48after that great body work.
23:49That one landed,
23:51but he has not been as consistent
23:54as he would like with the numbers of punches.
23:58Santacruz on the inside
24:00lands a couple of very good left hands,
24:02and those might have been part of what created the mouse
24:05underneath the right eye of Tenazos.
24:33Time management has never been one of my specialties
24:37as we are coming to you
24:38from this beautiful locale in Southern California,
24:41and Tenazos is in trouble already
24:43with that eye almost swollen,
24:44shut his right eye,
24:45and Paulie, please excuse me again,
24:47but talk about what is the best strategy
24:49when you have a guy that keeps coming at you
24:51wave after wave like Santacruz.
24:53Good body shots there by Santacruz,
24:55but again, you know,
24:56Santacruz will give you opportunities to hit him.
24:58He comes in straight.
24:59A lot of times he comes in behind no jab at all.
25:01Sometimes he comes in behind the jab,
25:02but if you can keep your jab on him,
25:04pick your spots to land your good shots
25:05because Tenazos has landed his right hands
25:07and his hooks as well.
25:08You pick your spots,
25:09but then you've got to find a way to exit
25:11in a way where you're safe,
25:13not step back straight,
25:14not stay in the pocket for the return of Santacruz
25:17because he's so technically good on the inside
25:19that if you start getting into a battle with him on the inside,
25:22he'll throw shorter punches,
25:23and he'll outthrow you volume-wise as well.
25:27Santacruz has landed twice as many power shots,
25:31and Al Tenazos is wearing the evidence
25:34under that right eye.
25:35He had the left hooks of Santacruz
25:38and some of those uppercuts.
25:40There's a right hand by the challenger.
25:43Also, Tenazos would be well-suited
25:45to feint a little bit, too,
25:46kind of to break the Santacruz rhythm.
25:49Tenazos is not used to fighting at this pace.
25:52You know, he likes to control the pace,
25:54and he told us two days ago he had to.
25:57And down goes Tenazos
25:59for the fourth time in his career.
26:13And immediately, Santacruz goes back on the attack,
26:17landing withering body shots.
26:20High guard misses with the left hook
26:23right uppercut by the champion who exits.
26:27Right hand by Santacruz.
26:30Tenazos is resilient.
26:32We've talked about him getting up against Maharas,
26:35but he's taking a lot of punches.
26:36And he takes a knee,
26:38and he's down for the second time in the round.
26:41Fifth time in his career.
26:43Six, seven, eight, nine.
26:47Do you want to continue?
26:48Not anymore, huh?
26:49Not anymore?
26:50Yes.
26:51Santacruz has steamrolled his way
26:54to a second world championship.
27:07Viva Mexico!
27:13Leo Santacruz!
27:18Leo Santacruz!
27:23Leo Santacruz celebrating with his father,
27:26members of his camp.
27:28It's all about family.
27:30And the family has plenty to celebrate tonight
27:34as Leo Santacruz, his girlfriend,
27:37not showing much.
27:38I think it's more relief as a loved one.
27:40Polly, she's just relieved he wasn't hurt,
27:42and there's plenty of time to celebrate later.
27:44Yeah, and he's not hurt.
27:45He got the win.
27:46It's a quick exit out of the ring.
27:49Doesn't get any better.
27:50His sixth and third round KO.
27:57Here's how it happened.
27:58The left hooks of Santacruz
28:01were an important weapon in this fight
28:03right from the beginning.
28:04And he has a good left hook.
28:06That was the first.
28:07That was the knockdown.
28:08Now a second look at that knockdown.
28:10Trying to set things up with the jab,
28:12and then a perfect left hook
28:15thrown in a pretty compact way by Santacruz.
28:19And that would be where he was knocked down.
28:21And then the second knockdown
28:23that created the stoppage in the fight.
28:25And it's important as we look at this action
28:27to remember that neither Fernando Montiel
28:30or Christian Maharas, two champions,
28:32were able to do this to Tirasas
28:35to knock him out and stop him.
28:37So a quality opponent who had a championship,
28:41and this is how it ends for him.
28:43And Santacruz doing a dramatically good job here.
28:46And again, the stoppage with a rain of punches
28:51on this young man who, unfortunately for him,
28:55loses his title in the very first defense.
28:58And Santacruz picks up his fourth, third round knockout.
29:04His 15th victory inside the distance.
29:07An impressive display of his volume and his power.
29:11Let's go to Jim Gray with this quick report.
29:14All right, Mauro, I just spoke to Dr. Eddie Ayub.
29:17He said that Dr. Lou Moret, the referee,
29:19had to stop the fight because when Tirasas got up,
29:22he informed him he could not see out of his right eye.
29:26Dr. Ayub opened his right eye and he can see,
29:29but it is closed because of the punishment he took.
29:31Therefore, they had to force the stoppage.
29:34Thank you very much, Jim.
29:36And a look at the numbers for what was
29:39an impressive display again by Leo Santacruz.
29:42What's dramatic about this is the number thrown by Santacruz.
29:45He is so active, and those show stat numbers show it.
29:49He just rains punches on you,
29:51and even though he didn't land at a monstrous percentage,
29:5329%, he landed power punches and more than enough.
29:56Let's make it official with Jimmy Lennon Jr.
30:02Ladies and gentlemen, we have the time of 2 minutes 9 seconds
30:06in round number 3.
30:08Our referee in charge, Dr. Lou Moret, stops the contest.
30:11He is the winner by way of knockout.
30:15He is the new WBC Super Battleweight Champion
30:20of the world, Leo Terremoto Santacruz!
30:30Let's get it to Jim Gray now with the words of the victor.
30:33All right, Mo, thank you very much.
30:36Leo, congratulations.
30:38What does this mean to you now to win your second championship
30:41and a title here in Los Angeles in front of your family
30:44and the home crowd?
30:46It means the world to me.
30:48It's a dream come true.
30:50I'm so happy to be here.
30:52I'm so happy to be here.
30:54I'm so happy to be here.
30:56I'm so happy to be here.
30:58It's a dream come true.
31:00This is what I always wanted since I was small.
31:02When I started boxing, I wanted a green belt.
31:04And now that I got it, it's a dream come true.
31:06I want to thank my promoter, Golden Boy, my manager,
31:09if it wasn't for him, none of this would be possible.
31:12And I also want to thank my sponsors.
31:14I want to thank Easy Performance, Ponle, Cadenas,
31:18and all the sponsors Everlast, and everybody, all the people.
31:22I want to thank all the fans for coming to support.
31:24And if it wasn't for you guys, I wouldn't be here.
31:27So every time I go in the gym, it's for you guys.
31:29So I could keep on training hard and give a show like this.
31:33Leo, a very, very poignant moment was when you won your first title
31:37and your brother was suffering so bad with lupus.
31:39You said this is for Roberto.
31:41He's right behind you. What are you going to do with this belt?
31:43With this belt, I want to give it to him because he's a real champion
31:47because he survived. He was really bad.
31:49And I know that if he wouldn't have quit boxing because of his illness,
31:53he would have become champion.
31:55So I want to give this to him.
32:01Two belts now for your brother.
32:03How did you manage to win this thing tonight against Terazis,
32:06who came in with so much more experience than you,
32:08106 more rounds, and a really, really tough fighter?
32:12Yeah, no, he's a great fighter, a warrior.
32:14This is what I had to do. I had to go to the beginning.
32:16I had to go out there and pressure him and try to beat him down
32:19because he's a guy with great experience.
32:21So the fight could get tough during the later rounds.
32:24So I had to finish him fast.
32:26But we trained really hard in the gym to get this victory
32:29because that's what we wanted in the gym.
32:31My dad trained me really hard. He's always pressuring me.
32:34His motivation is the one that keeps me going.
32:36So that's why I came out here and did what I did.
32:38How aware were you that his right eye was closing up
32:41and possibly couldn't see a lot of those lefts that you were throwing?
32:44In the second round, I thought I got him with a good shot.
32:48And then I saw that he got swollen up.
32:50I said, I'm going to go right there and try to finish him.
32:53So he got swollen up and the doctor could stop him.
32:55Are you comfortable at this weight? This is where you want to stay?
32:57Or are you getting ready to go again?
32:58No, I'll stay here a couple of fights.
33:00I feel good. I feel strong.
33:02Maybe two more fights and then I'll move up again.
33:04I know you're interested in this next one.
33:06How do you see the upcoming fight?
33:08A great fight, a great war. Two Mexicans, great fighters.
33:10It's going to be a war.
33:12Congratulations, Leo.
33:16Back to you.
33:18At 25, Santa Cruz improves to 25-0 and 1.
33:22We saw Kiko Martinez pull off the upset against Jonathan Romero last week.
33:25Here's a new champion at 122 this week, Pauly.
33:28The future is very bright for this guy.
33:30Yeah, the sky's the limit for this guy.
33:32He's got an exciting style.
33:34He took his man out in an exciting fashion.
33:36Body shots, head shots, closed his guy's eye.
33:39That's how you take a belt from a champion.
33:41It might be a short stay at 122 for him.
33:43But there are names out there.
33:45You mentioned Martinez and of course Guillermo Rigan Diao.
33:48It would be nice if there would be some way to get him in the ring against him.
33:51It might not happen.
33:53But the fact of the matter is this weight division has good fighters in it as well.
33:56All right, Brian Kenney.
33:58Leo Santa Cruz has held up his end of the bargain
34:00as he treats the hometown crowd to a very impressive performance here tonight.
34:04I tell you, Mauro, no doubt.
34:06Look, Santa Cruz absolutely sensational tonight.
34:10Just multiple three-punch, five-punch combinations.
34:13The torrid pace from the get-go, especially in the second round.
34:16Mentioned before the fight, he's a rising star.
34:18He's a star right now.
34:20Leo Santa Cruz gets us off in style here on Showtime.
34:23Just getting underway here on Showtime.
34:25And again, you see Leo Santa Cruz will celebrate and soak this in.
34:28An electrifying performance tonight.
34:30And our main event is still on the way.
34:32Abnemar is defending his title against Johnny Gonzalez.
34:35Now coming up in just three weeks, the boxing event of the year.
34:38Floyd Mayweather and Canelo Alvarez,
34:40the 36-year-old welterweight champion of the world
34:42versus the 23-year-old junior middleweight champion of the world.
34:46Here now a closer look at that mega fight
34:48plus how you can join the action and come to Las Vegas
34:51and see the bout in person.
35:05I strive to be a perfectionist every day.
35:12I always find a way to win.
35:14I always find a way to win.
35:17The main event of the evening.
35:21Alvarez connects.
35:24Action on the inside.
35:26Ferocious power.
35:28Listen to this crowd.
35:32Canelo dropping trouble with a straight right.
35:36And another right hand hurts Guerrero.
35:39A brilliant shot.
35:41We have a unanimous decision.
35:43The winner and still champion...
35:55On Saturday, September 14th,
35:57Floyd Mayweather and Canelo Alvarez
35:59square off in the fight of the decade.
36:01And you can be a part of the action.
36:03What a fight! What a night!
36:05We'll fly you and a guest to Las Vegas
36:07where a limo will usher you to the fabulous MGM Grand for fight weekend.
36:11You'll get VIP seating at Friday's official weigh-in
36:14and two great tickets to the epic main event.
36:17You'll also receive $500 in MGM Grand dining and beverage credits
36:21and $500 in spending money.
36:23Plus, 10 lucky winners will receive official fight gear.
36:27Just go to theonesweeps.com to enter now
36:30for your chance to be at Mayweather vs. Canelo.
36:32Don't miss out.
36:36Saturday, September 14th, live from Las Vegas
36:39and only on Showtime pay-per-view.
36:41Pound for Pound King, future Hall of Famer
36:43Floyd Mayweather vs. the young champion
36:45out of Mexico, Canelo Alvarez.
36:47And in the co-feature, it's the undisputed
36:49junior welterweight championship of the world,
36:51Danny Garcia vs. Lucas Matisse.
36:54Garcia, the young champ, accepting the challenge
36:56to face one of the hardest hitters in the sport today.
37:02Matisse!
37:04Garcia!
37:07This crowd is as electric as the action in the ring.
37:15Matisse fires off the right hand.
37:19Garcia, great right hand and down goes Judah.
37:22Matisse's already knocked him down and out.
37:30Matisse serving notice.
37:32He's ready for the best in the division, Danny Garcia.
37:36Left hook upstairs.
37:39The champion, Danny Swift Garcia.
37:49And he has been just roaring through the 140 pound
37:53weight division, leaving bodies in his wake.
37:55He joins us right now, Lucas Matisse.
37:57We're also joined by Felix de Jesus to translate.
38:00Lucas, first, give us your scouting report
38:02on Danny Garcia.
38:03What does he see as a fighter in Garcia?
38:21He has trained tremendously and he does respect him
38:23as a fighter and as a champion, but that's all
38:25that he respects.
38:26What's the biggest challenge in Garcia?
38:30We've practiced some things that he doesn't want
38:33to do right now, but that's the main thing.
38:36The hard training that he did will be the answer.
38:38Did he think that Garcia would want to fight him?
38:40Would he accept to fight with him?
38:48Yes, yes, for sure.
38:50He's a champion and like any champion, he has to
38:53accept the fights that come his way.
38:55I knew that sooner or later we were going to finish
38:59fighting, so I'm very happy that now, on September 14th,
39:02we're going to face Rivalry.
39:24Yes, the truth is that I stepped on American soil.
39:27The people have been very good.
39:29The truth is that I'm very happy with all the support
39:32that they're giving me.
39:47Is there anything different about how you've trained
39:50lately that has improved so much?
39:52No, no.
39:53The good preparation.
39:54A lot of work in the morning in Potencia.
39:57The preparation that we've been doing is very good
40:00and I think that's the result of all the fights.
40:02No, definitely the training has helped and everything
40:04that he's done in the last year.
40:06His morning regimen that he has has really stepped up
40:09and that's where he is now because of that great
40:12exercising regimen he has.
40:27No, for sure it's a very important card.
40:30Even if the title was not on the line, it's for him
40:33a great honor to fight under this undercard of Canelo
40:36and Mayweather.
40:53Yes, for sure.
40:54I know that it's going to be a very important day
40:58and to be there that day is very important to me.
41:07He's always like this, talking so quietly.
41:10Yes, yes, calm down.
41:12I train and the truth is that you can't disrespect anyone.
41:15I just train and talk up the ring.
41:28Congratulations, you've been very impressive
41:30and we wish you the best of luck September 14th.
41:42Thanks for inviting me here today and thanks for all the fans
41:45for giving them support today.
41:46Well, we look forward to seeing you back in the ring.
41:48Lucas, thank you so much.
41:49Lucas Matisse here with us tonight.
41:50Again, Danny Garcia, Lucas Matisse.
41:52A great fight, part of a tremendous lineup coming up
41:55again September 14th, headlined by Floyd Mayweather
41:58versus Canelo Alvarez.
41:59Right now, let's go back ringside.
42:00Time for the main event.
42:01Yes, already.
42:02Back tomorrow, Ranallo.
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