Watch Showtime Championship Boxing: Santa Cruz vs. Martinez

On February 27th, 2021, SHOWTIME Championship Boxing presented a highly anticipated matchup between Leo Santa Cruz and Isaac Cruz for the WBA Lightweight World Title. The event took place at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, and aired live on SHOWTIME.

The evening began with a series of undercard fights, showcasing rising stars and seasoned veterans in the sport. First up was lightweight prospect Michel Rivera, who faced off against Anthony Raíces in a scheduled 10-round bout. Despite a valiant effort from Raíces, Rivera's superior speed and agility ultimately earned him a unanimous decision victory.

Next, featherweight prospect Julio Ceja stepped into the ring against Eduardo Ramirez in a scheduled 12-round fight. The two fighters exchanged blows ferociously throughout the match, with Ceja looking to maintain his unbeaten record while Ramirez aimed to deliver a stunning upset. In the end, Ceja prevailed with a unanimous decision victory, further solidifying his status as a fighter to watch in the featherweight division.

The third fight on the undercard featured super bantamweight prospect Ra'eese Aleem, who took on Victor Pasillas in a scheduled 12-round match. Both fighters came into the bout with strong records, and the fight proved to be evenly matched from start to finish. In the end, Aleem's superior conditioning and striking power allowed him to eke out a narrow split decision victory.

Finally, in the main event of the evening, Leo Santa Cruz entered the ring to defend his WBA Lightweight World Title against Isaac Cruz. Santa Cruz, a former four-division world champion, was fighting for the first time since losing his WBA Super Featherweight World Title to Gervonta Davis in October of 2020. Cruz, on the other hand, was looking to make a statement against the highly decorated Santa Cruz.

The first few rounds of the fight were tightly contested, with both fighters feeling each other out and trading blows. Santa Cruz showcased his superior footwork and hand speed, while Cruz displayed his impressive power and willingness to engage in close-range exchanges.

In the middle rounds of the fight, Cruz began to assert himself more forcefully, landing a series of powerful hooks and uppercuts that seemed to stagger Santa Cruz. Despite this, Santa Cruz remained tenacious and continued to fight back fiercely.

As the fight entered the later rounds, Santa Cruz began to take control, landing a series of precise combinations that had Cruz on the defensive. However, Cruz refused to back down and continued to fight aggressively, even as he began to tire.

In the end, the judges awarded the fight to Santa Cruz with a unanimous decision victory. While Cruz put up a valiant effort, Santa Cruz's superior technique and experience proved to be the deciding factor.

Overall, the Santa Cruz vs. Cruz bout was an exciting and hard-fought match that showcased the best of what boxing has to offer. With world-class talent on display throughout the evening, fans were treated to a night of thrilling action and unforgettable moments.