Leo Santa Cruz (37-1-1, 19 KOs) won a world title in a fourth division via unanimous decision, outworking Miguel Flores (24-3, 12 KOs). The bout was for a vacant version of the WBA junior lightweight title.
Santa Cruz won by the scores of 117-110 twice and 115-112.
This match served as an appetizer for the main event between Deontay Wilder and Luis Ortiz on Saturday at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas.
Santa Cruz became the fifth Mexican fighter to win championships across four weight divisions, joining the recently anointed Canelo Alvarez, Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez and Jorge Arce.
“Winning this title means the world to me,” Santa Cruz said in his immediate post-fight interview.
“This is all for the fans who support me. I didn’t feel myself today and didn’t perform the way I wanted to. I’m going to get back in the gym and get a big fight in 2020.”
Blessed to get laced up by my father before another World Title Fight. #TeamSantaCruz
Don’t miss #SantaCruzFlores coming up next on @PBConFOX PPV: https://t.co/4qnfCUaWTZ pic.twitter.com/X4ZsCSeuCB
— Leo Santa Cruz (@leosantacruz2) November 24, 2019