The sanctioning body issued a mandate that Santa Cruz had to inform them by Dec. 13 of his plans. If he chose 130, he'd have to vacate the belt and Leigh Wood would be elevated from WBA (World) to WBA (Super) titlist. Santa Cruz let the WBA know his intention to return to 126 after facing Keenan Carbajal this Saturday as the chief support for Keith Thurman vs. Mario Barrios. 

Wood takes on Mick Conlan on March 12. Whoever wins will face Santa Cruz, if things go according to plan for the four-division world champion.

"This fight (with Carbajal) is going to be (at) 130," Santa Cruz told DAZN News.

"Hopefully, I win, and then after this fight, if everything goes good, I want to get back down to 126. I haven't vacated the title or anything. If everything goes good, I'm going to face the winner of Conlan and the other fighter (Wood). It is going to be a great fight. I think the winner from then there'll be a great fight against me."

Santa Cruz is regarded as one of, if not the best featherweight in boxing. But his last two fights were at junior lightweight. Why beat up your body and lose an extra four pounds instead of keeping your body fresh and not putting a strain on yourself? To Santa Cruz, it was a decision his team felt was best for him. Going through this training camp made the 33-year-old realize they were correct with their decision. 

"I think because my team told me that I look stronger at 126," Santa Cruz said.

"That’s my natural weight at 126. Also, the fans said that to go back down to 126, and that’s where I looked the best. I'm here for the fans. I'm going to entertain them." 

Before thoughts of facing the winner of Wood and Conlan can start dancing in Santa Cruz's head, the unknown Carbajal stands in his path. Saturday is by far the biggest fight of his career. Santa Cruz admits he wanted a marquee name coming off a 15-month layoff, but his team felt he needed to get his feet back under him before taking on the caliber of Wood or Conlan. He understands what lies ahead and is giving Carbajal his proper respect. 

"I wanted a bigger name," Santa Cruz admits.

"I said I was ready for whoever, another champion or another tough opponent. But my team decided that I came from a big loss against Gervonta Davis, so I needed time to recover.

"Also, I needed a good opponent but not that hard. I never underestimate a fighter. Every fighter I see as a hard opponent because they come with everything."