His relentless pressure-fighting style and high punch output earned him the nickname “El Terremoto.” Leo Santa Cruz was born into a boxing family in Mexico.
In this article, you will learn about Leo Santa Cruz’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
Leo Santa Cruz’s Biography
| Information | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Leodegario Santa Cruz |
| Nickname | El Terremoto (“The Earthquake”) |
| Birthdate | August 10, 1988 |
| Birthplace | Huetamo, Michoacán, Mexico |
| Nationality | Mexican-American |
| Residence | Rosemead, California, USA |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.71 m) |
| Reach | 69 in (175 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
His father Jose was an amateur boxer and introduced Leo and his brothers to the sport at a young age.
Early Career
Leo had a stellar amateur career, compiling a record of 148-7 and winning a world amateur championship at age 15 before turning pro at 18 in 2006.
Santa Cruz quickly made a name for himself as a professional. In his first few years as a pro, he went undefeated in 20 fights while steadily moving up in competition.
In 2011, Santa Cruz won the vacant IBF bantamweight title by defeating Vusi Malinga.
Professional Career
After defending his bantamweight title 3 times, Santa Cruz moved up to super bantamweight in 2013.
Santa Cruz would go on to defend that belt 4 times with wins over the likes of Cristian Mijares and Manuel Roman.
In his first fight at 126 pounds, he outpointed former 3-division champion Abner Mares in an action-packed battle to win the vacant WBA featherweight title.
After one successful defense, Santa Cruz suffered his first career loss in a majority decision against Carl Frampton in 2016.
Wife
Santa Cruz is married to his wife Nairim. The couple have 2 children together.
Leo Santa Cruz’s Net Worth Details
Leo Santa Cruz’s net worth is estimated to be $12 million as of 2025.
Fight Purses
| Fight | Purse(s) |
|---|---|
| vs Gervonta Davis (2020) | $1,500,000 |
| vs Miguel Flores (2019) | $750,000 |
| vs Rafael Rivera (2019) | $1,000,000 |
| vs Abner Mares II (2018) | $1,000,000 |
| vs Carl Frampton II (2017) | $900,000 |
Endorsements
- Everlast
- Bud Light
- Westways Gym
Career Stats
| Result | Opponent | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Win | Cristian Baez | 2023-09-02 |
| Win | Keenan Carbajal | 2022-02-05 |
| Loss | Gervonta Davis | 2020-10-31 |
| Win | Miguel Flores | 2019-11-23 |
| Win | Rafael Rivera | 2019-02-16 |
| Win | Abner Mares | 2018-06-09 |
| Win | Chris Avalos | 2017-10-14 |
| Win | Carl Frampton | 2017-01-28 |
| Loss | Carl Frampton | 2016-07-30 |
| Win | Kiko Martinez | 2016-02-27 |
FAQs
1. Who is Leo Santa Cruz and what are his major achievements in boxing?
Leo Santa Cruz, born Léodegario Santa Cruz on August 10, 1988, is a Mexican professional boxer who has achieved championship status in four different weight classes. He has held titles as IBF bantamweight champion, WBC super bantamweight champion, WBA featherweight champion, and WBA super featherweight champion, establishing himself as one of Mexico’s elite boxers.
2. What weight divisions has Leo Santa Cruz won championships in?
Leo Santa Cruz has conquered four weight divisions in his career. He held the IBF bantamweight title from 2012 to 2013, the WBC super bantamweight title from 2013 to 2015, the WBA (Super) featherweight title twice between 2015 and 2022, and the WBA (Super) super featherweight title from 2019 to 2020.
3. What is Leo Santa Cruz’s professional boxing record?
Leo Santa Cruz has an impressive professional record of 38 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, with 19 of his victories coming by knockout (46.34% KO rate). His only losses came against Carl Frampton (which he later avenged) and Gervonta Davis, who knocked him out in their 2020 bout.
4. What does Leo Santa Cruz’s nickname “El Terremoto” mean and why is he called that?
“El Terremoto” translates to “The Earthquake” in English. This nickname perfectly describes Santa Cruz’s relentless fighting style characterized by overwhelming pressure, extremely high punch volume, and constant forward movement that often leaves opponents feeling like they’re trying to withstand a natural disaster.
5. What role has Leo Santa Cruz’s father played in his boxing career?
Jose Santa Cruz has been Leo’s head trainer and cornerstone throughout his entire career. Despite battling spinal cancer and surviving a near-fatal bout with COVID-19, Jose has remained dedicated to his son’s development. Their bond dates back to Leo’s childhood when Jose would walk him to the gym because they couldn’t afford bus fare.
6. What were some of Leo Santa Cruz’s most significant fights?
Santa Cruz’s most significant fights include his two-bout series with Carl Frampton (splitting wins), his double victories over Abner Mares, his knockout loss to Gervonta “Tank” Davis in 2020, and championship defenses against fighters like Rafael Rivera and Miguel Flores. The Mares and Frampton fights are considered his career-best performances.
7. How did Leo Santa Cruz rise from poverty to boxing stardom?
Leo Santa Cruz grew up in a struggling Mexican immigrant family that often couldn’t afford bus fare to the gym. His father would walk Leo and his brothers to training daily between his shifts as a painter and cook. This hardship instilled the incredible work ethic and hunger that became hallmarks of his high-volume fighting style.
8. What luxury purchases has Leo Santa Cruz made since becoming successful?
Since achieving boxing success, Santa Cruz has purchased a mansion in Corona, California where his entire family lives. He drives a Lamborghini bought directly from Floyd Mayweather, which he described as his dream car. He has also made smart investments in real estate around Los Angeles, demonstrating financial savvy beyond boxing.
9. Has Leo Santa Cruz remained active as a champion in recent years?
No. Despite being the WBA “Super” featherweight champion, Santa Cruz went three years without defending that title from February 2019 to February 2022. During this period, he fought exclusively at the super featherweight division (130 pounds), raising questions about whether he should have been allowed to retain his 126-pound title.
10. Is Leo Santa Cruz considered a Hall of Fame boxer?
The question of Santa Cruz’s Hall of Fame worthiness remains debated. Supporters point to his four-division champion status, 16-2 record in world title fights, and quality wins over fighters like Mares and Frampton. Critics argue he lacks enough defining victories against elite opposition to warrant induction despite his impressive achievements.
