Leo Santa Cruz vs. Abner Mares: Live Round-by-Round Results and Highlights

Leo Santa Cruz took command in the second half to capture a majority decision over Abner Mares and remain undefeated on Saturday night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Scores were 114-114 and 117-111 (twice) for Santa Cruz.

Bleacher Report scored the contest 115-113 for Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz (31-0-1, 17 KO) proved many of his doubters wrong with a gritty, gutsy performance to hold back what was easily the toughest opponent of his career. He was back on his heels in the early rounds but changed the equation when he began using his height and jab to keep Mares on the outside.

His sharper, harder punches were the difference in a highly competitive fight.

Mares (29-2-1, 15 KO) was the aggressor in the early going, literally running across the ring to meet Santa Cruz and exchange punches at the opening bell. He clearly showed that he can still be a high-level fighter (an open question after his knockout loss to Jhonny Gonzalez) but wasn’t able to neutralize his foe’s physical advantages.

Santa Cruz captures the Super WBA Featherweight Championship with the win.

Julio Ceja scored a dramatic come-from-behind knockout of Hugo Ruiz in Round 5 to capture the interim WBC Super Bantamweight Championship in the co-featured bout.

Ceja (30-1, 27 KO) was dropped hard in the third round by a left hand and took a beating before making it to the bell. He turned things around with a huge left of his own that felled Ruiz (35-3, 31 KO) two rounds later and pummeled him along the ropes before referee Raul Caiz Sr. interceded and stopped the contest.

Kevin McRae is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. You can follow him on Twitter @McRaeWrites.