Three division world champion Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz (34-1-1, 19 KOs)  returned with an eighth-round TKO over Chris Avalos (27-6, 20 KOs) on Saturday night at the Stub Hub Center in Carson, California headlining Premier Boxing Champions on FOX.

Santa Cruz seemingly turned back time as he traded with Avalos in the pocket like some of his older fights as the seventh round saw Avalos slow and the eighth after a few flurries the referee stepped in.

The co-main event saw four-time world champion Abner Mares (31-2-1, 15 KOs) pick up a technical decision over Andres Gutierrez (35-2-1, 25 KOs) who was simply overmatched. Mares was just flat-out better landing at will with Gutierrez’s gameplan seemed to be “tough” and “physical”, but Mares skill was too much.

The bout was cut short due to a cut on Gutierrez that was caused by a headbutt. The judges had the bout 100-90, 99-91, and 99-91 all for Mares.

Former world champion Antonio DeMarco (33-6, 24 KOs) turned back the hands of time as he stopped Eddie Ramirez (17-1, 11 KOs) minutes into the first round. Ramirez decided to stand in front of the veteran puncher who stopped John Molina Jr in seconds and seemingly did the same as Ramirez found himself on bad legs with the ref waving the bout off at 1:56 of the first round.