Leo Santa Cruz Bio
Léodegario Santa Cruz, born on August 10, 1988, in Huetamo, Michoacán, Mexico, is a Mexican professional boxer and a four-weight world champion. Known by his ring name “El Terremoto,” Santa Cruz has held multiple world titles across bantamweight, super bantamweight, featherweight, and super featherweight divisions. With an orthodox stance and a reach of 175 cm, he has compiled an impressive professional record of 38 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw over 41 fights.
Early Life and Background
Léodegario Santa Cruz was born in Huetamo, Michoacán, Mexico. He is the youngest of four brothers and has two sisters. His three brothers—Antonio, José Armando, and Roberto—were also professional boxers, indicating a strong family connection to the sport. Santa Cruz began boxing at a young age, compiling an amateur record of 148 wins and 7 losses before turning professional.
Path to Boxing
Santa Cruz started his professional career in 2006 at the age of 18. He made his debut on October 13, 2006, against Pedro Silva, winning by knockout in the second round. Early in his career, he demonstrated his power and skill by winning thirteen consecutive fights following a draw in his second bout. His early success in regional and youth titles set the foundation for his rise in professional boxing.
Leo Santa Cruz Career
Early Career (2006–2012)
Santa Cruz quickly established himself as a formidable bantamweight contender. In March 2011, he won the vacant WBC Youth bantamweight championship by knocking out Stephane Jamoye. His breakthrough came in 2012 when he fought for the vacant IBF bantamweight title against Vusi Malinga, winning by unanimous decision. He successfully defended the IBF title three times in 2012, including notable victories over Eric Morel, Victor Zaleta, and Alberto Guevara.
Super Bantamweight Breakthrough (2013–2015)
After vacating his IBF bantamweight title in early 2013, Santa Cruz moved up to super bantamweight. He captured the vacant NABF super bantamweight title by defeating Alexander Muñoz via fifth-round stoppage. Later that year, he won the WBC super bantamweight title by defeating Victor Terrazas with a third-round TKO. Santa Cruz defended this title multiple times, including victories over Cristian Mijares and Jesus Ruiz, showcasing his dominance in the division.
Featherweight Era (2015–2019)
Santa Cruz moved up to featherweight in 2015, making his debut on the undercard of the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao super fight. He won the vacant WBA (Super) featherweight title later that year by defeating Abner Mares in a majority decision. Santa Cruz defended this title several times, engaging in high-profile bouts including a two-fight series with Carl Frampton, regaining the title in their rematch. He also defeated Miguel Flores and Chris Avalos during this period, solidifying his status as a top featherweight.
Super Featherweight and Lightweight Transition (2019–Present)
In 2019, Santa Cruz moved up to super featherweight and won the vacant WBA (Super) super featherweight title by defeating Miguel Flores. He faced Gervonta Davis in 2020 in a unification bout but suffered a knockout loss. Despite this setback, Santa Cruz continued competing, defending his WBA (Super) featherweight title successfully against Keenan Carbajal in 2022. He has expressed interest in unification fights and moving up to lightweight for future challenges.
Driving Style and Strengths
Santa Cruz fights from an orthodox stance and is known for his high punch output, power, and ability to adapt his strategy mid-fight. His strength lies in body shots and combinations, often wearing down opponents with relentless pressure. He has demonstrated resilience and tactical intelligence throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Santa Cruz is a four-weight world champion, a rare achievement in boxing. His victories over notable fighters such as Abner Mares, Carl Frampton, and Victor Terrazas highlight his career. His fight against Gervonta Davis marked his pay-per-view debut, and he has been involved in several bouts considered fight-of-the-year candidates.
Leo Santa Cruz Career Wins
Professional Boxing Highlights
Santa Cruz has amassed 38 wins, including 19 by knockout, over a professional career spanning from 2006 to the present. His first world title came in 2012 with the IBF bantamweight championship. He has since won and defended titles in super bantamweight, featherweight, and super featherweight divisions. His most recent significant victory was a unanimous decision win over Keenan Carbajal in 2022.
Other Wins & Performances
Throughout his career, Santa Cruz has also claimed regional titles such as the NABF super bantamweight championship and the WBC Youth bantamweight title. His consistent performances have earned him recognition as one of Mexico’s premier boxers.
Leo Santa Cruz Family
Family Background and Boxing Lineage
Santa Cruz comes from a family deeply involved in boxing. His three older brothers were professional boxers, and his father, Jose Santa Cruz, served as his lifelong trainer until his passing in 2025. This family support has been integral to Santa Cruz’s development and success in the sport.
Personal Life
Santa Cruz is a father to three children, including a daughter named Luna. His personal life has been featured in media, including a mini-series providing insight into his life outside the ring. The passing of his father and trainer in 2025 marked a significant moment in his personal and professional life.
2025 Season Performance
As of 2025, Leo Santa Cruz remains an active professional boxer. While specific fight schedules for the year are not confirmed, he continues to seek high-profile bouts and unification opportunities. His experience and championship pedigree position him as a notable contender in the lightweight division. Santa Cruz’s career longevity and adaptability suggest he will remain competitive in upcoming seasons.