Las Vegas Sun

Currently: 70° | Complete forecast |

Leo Santa Cruz feels more at ease heading into rematch with Carl Frampton

Santa Cruz says father’s health throughout camp will make big difference in second fight

Frampton Santa Cruz Presser

L.E. Baskow

Boxer Leo Santa Cruz speaks about his upcoming fight with Carl Frampton during a news conference at MGM Grand on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017.

Frampton Santa Cruz Presser

Stephen Espinoza, the current executive vice president and general manager of Showtime Sports, speaks during the Carl Frampton versus Leo Santa Cruz 2 fight presser at the MGM Grand on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017. Launch slideshow »

For six months, former featherweight world champion Leo Santa Cruz has stewed over losing his belt.

The 28-year-old surrendered his World Boxing Association title and his undefeated record last July in Brooklyn when he lost a majority decision to Carl Frampton.

Santa Cruz (32-1-1, 18 KOs) will have a chance at redemption at around 8 p.m. tonight when he steps into the ring at MGM Grand Garden Arena to take on Frampton (23-0, 14 KOs) in a rematch. The Los Angeles-based fighter says he brings a better game plan, and more importantly, a better mindset this time around.

Leading into the first fight, Santa Cruz went through nearly the entire camp without his father, Jose Santa Cruz, something that he had never done before. In April 2016, Jose Santa Cruz was diagnosed with stage 3 myeloma bone cancer in his spine.

“I was worrying more about him, about his health, how he was doing, if he was going to be able to go to the fight with me,” Leo Santa Cruz said. “Or if he was even going to wake up the day after, tomorrow, to be there with us because cancer is a very dangerous disease that you could be here with us today, or tomorrow you won’t be.”

The cancer eventually went into remission and Leo Santa Cruz fought Frampton with his father in his corner, but his absence throughout the camp was still evident.

“Since my dad wasn’t there, we didn’t come with a big game plan,” Leo Santa Cruz said. “We trained one thing with my brother, and then when my dad got there, he wanted us to train a different way, so we got confused. We got a little bit frustrated.”

Click to enlarge photo

Boxer Leo Santa Cruz and his father-trainer, Jose, enjoy the fight presser at MGM Grand on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017.

Frampton negated Leo Santa Cruz’s four-inch reach advantage with superior footwork and hand speed in the first fight. Frampton’s punches were short and crisp, especially in a dominant first five rounds.

“I think my footwork is better,” Leo Santa Cruz said. “The first fight, I was too still. I would throw a punch and stand still. I have been throwing more combinations and then getting out of his distance and get caught. I can’t be vulnerable for his counter.”

The biggest punch of the fight came in the second round, when Frampton caught Leo Santa Cruz with a counter left hook that staggered him.

Leo Santa Cruz took great pride in his undefeated record and hasn’t gotten over losing it easily.

“It’s always on my mind, even when I’m at home,” he said. “I want to get over with it and beat him and prove to everyone that I’m better than him.”

He’s hoping for a different result but is expecting the second fight to be just as action-packed as the first.

“People loved the first fight and I’m giving the extra effort in the gym and hitting the bags because we want to give another fight of the year,” Leo Santa Cruz said.

Frampton had the crowd behind him in Brooklyn with a large contingent of Irish fans in the area, but that won’t be the case in Las Vegas — less than a four-hour drive from Leo Santa Cruz’s hometown.

Leo Santa Cruz will have a large group of friends and family at the fight, and Jose Santa Cruz will be standing behind him — sporting his big, black cowboy hat and gold chain.

“This training camp has been very easy,” Leo Santa Cruz said. “Having my dad here and in the gym with me is really relaxing. I’m doing the right things and I envision myself becoming the champion again.”

Jesse Granger can be reached at 702-259-8814 or [email protected]. Follow Jesse on Twitter at twitter.com/JesseGranger_.

Join the Discussion:

Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.

Full comments policy