Leo Santa Cruz vs. Rafael Rivera - February 16, 2019

[Ruthless-RKO]

Featherweight challenger Miguel Flores suffered an ankle injury in training and was forced to drop out of his match against WBA Featherweight World Champion Leo "El Terremoto'' Santa Cruz that headlines Premier Boxing Champions on FOX and FOX Deportes Saturday, February 16 from Microsoft Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles.

Stepping up to replace Flores is Rafael "Big Bang'' Rivera, a 24-year-old contender from Tijuana, Mexico.



Link..

[oogiebe]

Better matchup but not by much. Santa Cruz by TKO mid rounds.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight week.

It’s A shame.. people were actually talking about LSC around the time he fought Frampton back to back. He was fighting a legitimate opponent. Then he had worthless rematch with Mares.. now he’s fighting a guy I honestly haven’t heard of until the fight was announced.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Santa Cruz (35-1-1, 19KOs) checked in at 125.5 pounds for the third defense of his featherweight title. Rivera (26-2-2, 17KOs) came in slightly lighter at 125.25 pounds ahead of his first shot at a major belt.

[chuck9788]

I just watched Rivera's last fight (a 1'st round TKO win) vs a 10-14 record opponent. He was explosive and pounced on the weaker combatant. If Rivera can somehow stun or hurt Santa Cruz a follow up barrage could secure himself a huge upset win.

However, the nearly 4 inch reach advantage and overall better skill level bodes well for Santa Cruz. Rivera did go 12 full rounds with Jo Jo Diaz and has no track record of being knocked down or stopped. So I see this going to the cards ,,, maybe a 119-109 type scored win for Santa Cruz.

[Ruthless-RKO]

What times this fight gonna be on?

[chuck9788]

What times this fight gonna be on?

8 pm est .... on FOX

[oogiebe]

Anyone watch the Fundora/Marshall fight?? Fundora a 6'7" super welterweight. Kid looked freakin' scary.

[jamamb]

he has a super short reach for his height

[oogiebe]

he has a super short reach for his height

I know right!? Nice looking fighter though. Short reach makes him pretty good inside though.

[oogiebe]

Figueroa/Molina really decent fight heading into final round.

[oogiebe]

I think Molina takes the fight by one point. Really close.

[Deadendgeneration]

Won't argue with any result here unless the cards are wide.

[armageto]

Figs close for me.

[Deadendgeneration]

Won't argue with any result here unless the cards are wide.

2 poor cards then. Won't argue with the result but 99-91?

[oogiebe]

WTF were the judges watching? It could've gone either way but not that wide. bvllshvt!

[Evander]

Solid opening round, they're letting it go.

[Evander]

Rivera is landing some chopping hooks upstairs but how long he can keep the pace going is the question.
LSC working away and chopping him down.

[oogiebe]

SC's body work is brutal.

[Evander]

With 1.56 remaining LSC took a shot which got his attention.
Last 30 Seconds Rivera took two uppercuts that did the same thing.

2-1 LSC

[Evander]

LSC chopping him down from the body, Rivera is game and landing enough to catch the eye.

3-1 LSC

[oogiebe]

3-0-1 LSC. Rivera beginning to slow down from those body shots.

[Evander]

You can tell LSC respects Rivera's power, he's been caught clean on more than one occasion.

3-2 LSC

[Evander]

LSC controlled most of the round with body shots, hooks and the jab, last 20 seconds Rivera caught him good.

4-2 LSC