Leo Santa Cruz was on a five-fight winning streak when he stepped into the ring with Gervonta Davis last October. The four-division champion did well in the fight until Davis landed a devastating uppercut to end the boxing match in the sixth round.
Leo Santa Cruz is now looking for an opponent to launch his comeback. The name Gary Russell Jr. is high on the list of potential dance partners.
“I want the fight too.” Santa Cruz said in response to Russell continuously mentioning his name for a fight. “Let’s make it happen.”
Santa Cruz, 37-2-1 with 19 knockouts, and Russell, 32-1 with 18 wins by stoppage, fight under the PBC banner. This fact should make for a less complicated fight negotiation if both men are truly interested in facing each other in the ring.
Santa Cruz and Russell are 32 and 33 years old, respectively. The age of the fighters may add a sense of urgency to negotiations.
Gary Russell Jr. is on record accusing Santa Cruz and many top fighters of avoiding him in the ring. “We’ve been in the same weight division for four years,” Russell explains. “I have the most prestigious title in the sport,” he says about his WBC title. Russell finally asks, “Why hasn’t he fought me.”
Russell fought last in February of 2020 win he logged a unanimous decision victory over Tugstsogt Nyambayar. His career includes frequent inactive periods. The WBC featherweight champion has not fought more than once in a single year since 2015.
Boxing fans would welcome a fight between Leo Santa Cruz and Gary Russell Jr. later this year if the two men can agree on terms. A second option for Santa Cruz could be Chris Colbert, who challenged Santa Cruz to a fight moments after defeating Tugstsogt Nyambayar by unanimous decision last Saturday night.