The world famous MGM Grand Garden arena played host to another classic, as Carl Frampton and Leo Santa Cruz shared an absorbing rematch which on this occasion went the Mexican native’s way. Santa Cruz’s majority decision victory meant he regained the WBA featherweight title for a second time, and in doing so inflicted a first blemish on Frampton’s professional career. Refreshingly, the Northern Irishman offered no excuses upon hearing the decision, admitting the better man won on the night.
Frampton’s defeat also meant huge disappointment for the vast number of travelling fans who made the trip to the Nevada dessert. ‘’The Jackal’’ has acquired cult status amongst his countrymen over the years, with vocal chants of ‘’Everywhere We Go” and “Frampton’s On Fire” greeting him to the ring in scenes reminiscent of the Ricky Hatton era.
However, as the first bell rang, it was Santa Cruz who dominated the early exchanges with the jab as he utilised his natural height and reach advantage against the smaller counter puncher. The crowds noise could certainly be used as a barometer of how the early jousting was going, with the vastly outnumbered Mexican fans chanting ‘’Leo, Leo, Leo.”
Santa Cruz’s early supremacy was due to a slight modification in game plan from the first fight. Having averaged over a hundred punches a round in Brooklyn, ‘’El Terremoto’’ was more measured in his output, concentrating on quality thrown and effectively controlling range with the jab. In doing so, he was not falling in as much, and meant it was Frampton who had to change tact.
From round three on, Frampton elected to stand more on the back foot in an attempt to use his superior boxing ability to walk Santa Cruz onto mistakes. This shift allowed him to land more with the counter punch and certainly made the middle sessions much closer.
Santa Cruz still got the better of the toe to toe exchanges though but his work noticeably dropped in rounds six, seven and eight as he started to neglect the jab which had served him so well. This allowed the Northern Irish ‘’Jackal’’ to stand more on the inside and unload artillery up close, in what was his most comfortable period of the fight.
As the bout entered its last third, there was a general feeling at ringside that whist Frampton was probably down on the cards, the ascendancy and momentum was with him. However, Santa Cruz demonstrated why he is a three weight world champion and dominated round nine, snapping Frampton’s head back with a big right hand followed by a short left hook. Distress signals were then evident on Frampton’s face as he walked back to the corner, realising a big finish was needed to retain his title.
In keeping with what had happened before, the championship rounds were full of action. Frampton went looking for the knockout, but Santa Cruz was able to pick him off to steal the final exchanges and take a deserved decision 114-114, 115-113 and 115-113.
A third rubber is the most desired option next for fight fans around the world. Whether we look at Bowe-Holyfield, Gatti Ward or Barrera-Morales, every fighter needs a dance partner.
Carl Frampton and Leo Santa Cruz are lucky to have each other, and now have the chance to forever etch their names in boxing history with the trilogy.
Article by Neel Khagram @BehindTheFight
www.behindthefight.com
Frampton’s defeat also meant huge disappointment for the vast number of travelling fans who made the trip to the Nevada dessert. ‘’The Jackal’’ has acquired cult status amongst his countrymen over the years, with vocal chants of ‘’Everywhere We Go” and “Frampton’s On Fire” greeting him to the ring in scenes reminiscent of the Ricky Hatton era.
However, as the first bell rang, it was Santa Cruz who dominated the early exchanges with the jab as he utilised his natural height and reach advantage against the smaller counter puncher. The crowds noise could certainly be used as a barometer of how the early jousting was going, with the vastly outnumbered Mexican fans chanting ‘’Leo, Leo, Leo.”
Santa Cruz’s early supremacy was due to a slight modification in game plan from the first fight. Having averaged over a hundred punches a round in Brooklyn, ‘’El Terremoto’’ was more measured in his output, concentrating on quality thrown and effectively controlling range with the jab. In doing so, he was not falling in as much, and meant it was Frampton who had to change tact.
From round three on, Frampton elected to stand more on the back foot in an attempt to use his superior boxing ability to walk Santa Cruz onto mistakes. This shift allowed him to land more with the counter punch and certainly made the middle sessions much closer.
Santa Cruz still got the better of the toe to toe exchanges though but his work noticeably dropped in rounds six, seven and eight as he started to neglect the jab which had served him so well. This allowed the Northern Irish ‘’Jackal’’ to stand more on the inside and unload artillery up close, in what was his most comfortable period of the fight.
As the bout entered its last third, there was a general feeling at ringside that whist Frampton was probably down on the cards, the ascendancy and momentum was with him. However, Santa Cruz demonstrated why he is a three weight world champion and dominated round nine, snapping Frampton’s head back with a big right hand followed by a short left hook. Distress signals were then evident on Frampton’s face as he walked back to the corner, realising a big finish was needed to retain his title.
In keeping with what had happened before, the championship rounds were full of action. Frampton went looking for the knockout, but Santa Cruz was able to pick him off to steal the final exchanges and take a deserved decision 114-114, 115-113 and 115-113.
A third rubber is the most desired option next for fight fans around the world. Whether we look at Bowe-Holyfield, Gatti Ward or Barrera-Morales, every fighter needs a dance partner.
Carl Frampton and Leo Santa Cruz are lucky to have each other, and now have the chance to forever etch their names in boxing history with the trilogy.
Article by Neel Khagram @BehindTheFight
www.behindthefight.com
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