Photos: Leo Santa Cruz Beats Abner Mares in a Rematch War

Leo Santa Cruz retained his WBA belt with a twelve round unanimous decision win over Abner Mares on Saturday night, in a rematch of a 2015 featherweight title clash. (photos by Stephanie Trapp).

Santa Cruz improved his record to 34-1-1 with 19 knockouts. He won on all three judges scorecards, with tallies of 115-113, 116-112, 117-111 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

They met the first time on August 29, 2015 - with Santa Cruz also winning that bout but by a twelve round majority decision.

After that victory, Santa Cruz lost the title in a close fight with Carl Frampton in July 2016, but regained it back when they met in a Las Vegas rematch in January 2017.