This Sunday, January 28th, join The Roar live at ringside from the MGM Grand Garden Arena as Carl Frampton 23(14)-0 defends his WBA super world featherweight title against Leo Santa Cruz 32(18)-1–1 in the rematch of their 2016 fight of the year.
Having won the belt from Leo last year and dominating that fight in the early rounds, Carl Frampton is generally considered the favourite to take this fight too.
But don’t be misled, Santa Cruz was turning the tide at the back end of the first fight – he may have more tricks up his sleeve for this weekend.
Although the result is impossible to pick, consensus is that it will be all fireworks! Interesting to note, Frampton has already started discussing his next fight or two while Santa Cruz has stated this is a win or retire fight for himself.
The co-main event for the evening is set to be an exciting exchange between Dejan Zlaticanin 22(15)-0 and Mikey Garcia 35(29)-0.
Zlaticanin, hailing from Montenegro is no doubt a beast. He won the belt in June of 2016 and is known for being very unpredictable. Dejan has power and just enough movement that if you aren’t on your game, he’s going to tag you, and when Zlaticanin tags you there is a good chance you are in for a short trip to the mat.
Mikey Garcia, heralded as one of the future stars of the sport, came back from a two-year hiatus in 2016. For his second fight back, he’s taking on a fighter most others wouldn’t. He took some shots in his return that wouldn’t have landed before his hiatus and can’t afford to do that against Dejan.
Looking at the fighters face-to-face, Mikey clearly has the size advantage, and he has noted intentions to move up in weight after this fight. Expect Mikey to show that he might be using a different game plan, but he’s still a high-potential boxer.
It’s a big start to a big year for boxing! There is every chance this could end up a contender for Fight of the Year again. Make sure you tune in Sunday for all the action, live here at The Roar.
Graeme Cross
Roar Guru
the crowd errupts! The irish are booing, the mexicans ae cheering
Graeme Cross
Roar Guru
114-114, 115-113, 115-113 LEO SANTA CRUZ WINS!
Graeme Cross
Roar Guru
we are waiting for the judges score cards now. Santa cruz really transformed his game tonight. It's a miraculous turn around from every single fight we seen of him so far.
Graeme Cross
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Leo moves to the center and they both exchange for the last ten seconds! the crowd errupts and both fighters make it to the bell. Santa cruz round. On my card he wins
Graeme Cross
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Carl leans back and eats a hook and a straight. Frampton throws multiple combos in the corner, but only 2 or 3 body shots and one hook to the head lands.
Graeme Cross
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Frampton is pressuring and leo is countering well. As frampton steps back leo closes the gap and will throw muiltiple on the inside to take the points.
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Leo avoids the onslaught and moves to the other corner, gets inclose and wins the inside game.
Graeme Cross
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Round 12! Leo has a couple of rounds lead and it looks like Frampton knows it. He comes out swinging.
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Leo ducks a big hook from frampton and lands a solid left in return. Bell rings. Santa cruz round. He's taking the lead here
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Frampton misses a right and lands a left, leo lands a hook and receives one as well
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Frampton gets shocked and grabs on to leo for the first time. but looks to settle and falls back into rhythm
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Round 11 starts Carl pushes forward and leo lands an uppercut. They circle to the ropes and tie up on the inside. Leo throws more and gets the better of the exchange for it.
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THe fiughters tie up and frampton throws multiple hooks to the body on the inside. close round. Frampton round.
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both fighters land 3 or 4 straights and hooks in the neutral corner. Leo backs away and frampton follows
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Frampton gets past the guard with a nice left hook then seps bak, leo lands a jab but misses the right
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Round 10 starts with a right hook from leo and an upper cut and hook from frampton. Leo blocked the uppercut
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three combo exchanges from both fighters. Leo gets low and lands a left hook. the ten second clap goes and leo steps up the pace. The round ends with leo l anding the better of the exchange. Santa Cruz round
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Frampton lunges with a left and then pushes with his head. Leo replies but misses. As carl steps out leo lands a right.
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Leo circles again Frampton ipushing leo into the ropes, both fights land one hook to the body each. Frampton circles back to the neutral corner
Graeme Cross
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Round 9 starts. Leo lunges with a left that moves framptons head. Frampton tries to reply but leo lands a 4 punch combo hitting the body with a finisher at the head.