Leo Santa Cruz/Photo courtesy of Premier Boxing Champions
Leo Santa Cruz of Lincoln Heights has accomplished a lot in boxing, having won world titles in three weight classes. But make no mistake, he will have his work cut out for him July 30 when he defends his featherweight belt against Carl Frampton of Northern Ireland at Barclays Center in Brooklyn (on Showtime).
Santa Cruz seems to know that.
“He has great skills, great punches and he moves very well,” Santa Cruz said Tuesday at a workout at City of Angels Boxing Gym in Los Angeles. “It’s going to be a tough fight for me, but I’m going to work hard to defend my belt.
Santa Cruz has won championships in the bantamweight, super bantamweight and featherweight divisions. Still just 27, he wants to further cement his legacy and a loss to Frampton would at least temporarily derail that effort.
“I see Frampton as someone trying to come and take away everything I worked hard for,” Santa Cruz said. “I can’t let that happen. I’m going to do what I have to do to get the win.”
Santa Cruz is 32-0-1 with 18 knockouts. Frampton, 29, is 22-0 with 14 knockouts. The former super bantamweight champion is moving up in weight to challenge Santa Cruz.
