Showtime Boxing Santa Cruz vs Frampton live results, discussion, round by round coverage

Tonight on Showtime we see a huge fight in the Featherweight division, as champion Leo Santa Cruz takes on Carl Frampton. Frampton is an undefeated champion who is moving up in weight class here to create a terrifically matched fight. Featherweight is one of boxing's deepest divisions, and the winner here will make a major statement about his place in that division.

Also on the card is the return of former world champion Mikey Garcia, who has been sitting on the sidelines for two and a half years. Garcia was gaining pound-for-pound momentum when he took his break - we'll see if he can start rebuilding that momentum now. The night also includes pre-show fights on Sho Extreme, highlighted by veteran Paulie Malignaggi.

Showtime Championship Boxing Santa Cruz vs. Frampton airs live on Showtime tonight, Saturday July 30 with a fight time of 9:00 p.m. ET for the main card and 7:00 p.m. ET for the prelims. For more on the card, check out our Bloody Elbow fight preview, and also follow our colleagues at Bad Left Hook.

Leo Santa Cruz vs. Carl Frampton

No recap can do this fight justice. All action from bell to bell, but it was the counter game of Frampton that carried the day in the end. Must-watch fight.

• Frampton def. Santa Cruz by MD (114-114, 116-112, 117-111)

Mikey Garcia vs. Elio Rojas

For his first fight back in 2 1/2 years, Mikey Garcia got off to a slow start. He was moving forward early, but not throwing much, allowing Rojas to win rounds 1 and 2. In the 3rd, Garcia landed the power shot to put Rojas. He got up, came out swinging, and left himself open for another clean Garcia shot and another knockdown. In the 5th, Rojas went down twice again, and this time, Rojas and referee Eddie Claudio decided the end had come.

• Garcia def. Rojas by KO, round 5, 2:02

Tony Harrison vs. Sergey Rabchenko

Harrison's jab was key to this fight, as he established it early, using the jab to keep Rabchenko away while circling the ring. Rabchenko needed to cut him off, but was unable to do so, effectively shutting down his offense. In round 9, Harrison followed the jab with a stiff right, dropping Rabchenko. He regained his feet, but was unsteady, and the ref waived it off.

• Harrison def. Rabchenko by KO, round 9, 1:18

Prelim Card
(Sho Extreme, 7:00 pm ET)

Paulie Malignaggi vs. Gabriel Bracero

• Malignaggi def. Bracero by UD (96-94, 98-92, 98-92)

Ivan Redkach vs. Tevin Farmer

• Farmer def. Redkach by UD (99-89, 98-90, 98-90)