Leo Santa Cruz/Photo courtesy of Golden Boy Promotions

Leo Santa Cruz of Lincoln Heights defended his super bantamweight world title Saturday with a eighth-round TKO of Jesus Ruiz of Mexico underneath the heavyweight title fight between Bermane Stiverne and Deontay Wilder.

There were no knockdowns, but Santa Cruz was pummeling Ruiz (32-6-5) on the ropes before referee Kenny Bayless stepped in to halt the bout.

Santa Cruz is now 29-0-1 with 17 knockouts.