Leo Santa Cruz defended his WBA (Super) featherweight title by beating Abner Mares in an enthralling rematch on Saturday.

Santa Cruz, 29, claimed a unanimous decision win at the Staples Center in Los Angeles to retain his title.

The Mexican (35-1-1) saw the fight scored 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113 in his favour in a rematch of their 2015 bout, which he won by majority decision.

Santa Cruz and Mares again delivered – as they did three years ago – and it was the former who had the better of the first half of the fight.

Mares enjoyed a decent finish, but Santa Cruz landed more punches in an all-action fight.

While he suggested another fight between the pair, Mares (31-3-1) has suffered two of his three career losses to Santa Cruz.