Northern Irishman suffers first career defeat and loses featherweight title in rematch with relentless American puncher
Revenge for Lo Santa Cruz, pure despair for Carl Frampton.
These two featherweight warriors produced the fight of 2016 last July and although this rematch failed to catch fire, it was a joy to behold nonetheless.
Santa Cruz produced a tactical masterclass to take back the WBA belt lost to Frampton on a majority decision on Saturday night at the MGM Grand with an intelligent performance which blended attack and defense perfectly.
Two judges at ringside, Dave Moretti and Glenn Feldman, scored it 115-113 with Burt Clements decreeing it was 114-114.
It was extremely close yet no-one could begrudge Santa Cruz his moment of glory, not even the deposed champion who had tumbled to the first defeat in his 24th professional contest.
He was very clever and used his reach well, said the 29 year-old from Belfast. I think he deserved to win if I am being honest.
The atmosphere was electric right until the very end.
Thousands of Northern Irish fans, mostly decked out in their national teams soccer colours, were in fine voice. Needless to say, the bars have done a roaring trade here.
The Mexican supporters, who had already seen one success when Mikey Garciaknocked out Dejan Zlatianin to win the WBC lightweight world title, were making themselves heard too.
Now though it was over to Santa Cruz, a three-division world champion like Garcia, could avenge that first defeat of his career administered so brilliantly by Frampton six months ago.
Santa Cruz stressed in the build-up that his all-action punching style which, ultimately, left him open to Framptons attacks in the first fight would be refined this time around.
The stat sheets confirm that Santa Cruz lands just over 30 punches per round the second highest in boxing across all weight divisions. When the dust settled Frampton threw 592 punches compared to the 884 coming his way. Frampton landing with only 28 of his jabs compared to 81 from the Mexican.
Frampton said he was ready for a war and so it proved.
The opening saw frenetic action from both. Santa Cruz connected with a pair of left hooks but Frampton wasnt backwards in coming forward.
The Mexican was using his reach advantage cleverly, keeping Frampton at bay with his jab. The first two rounds were his.
Unlike their first meeting, Frampton was being given very little to work with. Santa Cruz wasnt spending the whole time on the front foot.There was some success at the death of the third for the Irishman however, which finally gave his fans something to cheer about.
Frampton was able to occupy the pocket in the fourth and was enjoying making progress from the inside. There were flurries of wild exchanges yet a solid left hook from Santa Cruz served notice of his unwavering intent.
As in Brooklyn last year, it was razor tight. Frampton was luring the Mexican, knowing it was so hard for him to resist getting involved.
When that happened, the reigning champion was able to produce some of his best work.
Still, Santa Cruzs defense was on point.
Going into the final three rounds, there was very little in it. Framptons positivity was noticeable, he was taking the fight to his opponent who was seeming to tire following such a pacy, strong start.
Shane McGuigan, Framptons trainer, told his man he was at least round down going into the 10th, a strong left hook from Santa Cruz helping him win the ninth.
The Irish fighter needed something special.
L-o! L-o! L-o! rang around this famous old arena. Another strong round from the Mexican put him in pole position. His restraint was admirable, his joy at the end unbridled.
Lets do it again in Belfast, said Frampton.
They are gentlemen inside the ring and outside. We hope to have that rematch. added promoter Richard Schaefer.
No one would disagree with that.