Kostya Tszyu vs Ahmed Santos

On February 12, 2000, Kostya Tszyu successfully defended his WBC World Super-lightweight title for the first time against Ahmed Santos at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. The event was promoted by Main Events, Cedric Kushner Productions, and Dillon Productions Inc. and broadcast on Showtime. Tszyu, with a record of 23-1-0 at the time, weighed in at 139½ lbs, while Santos, with a record of 26-2-4, came in slightly heavier at 139¾ lbs.

The fight was Tszyu's first title defence after winning the belt from Miguel Angel Gonzalez four months prior in Miami, Florida. Santos, a 26-year-old from Phoenix, Arizona, was determined to upset the champion by way of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico. Santos provided a formidable challenge despite being the underdog, pushing Tszyu throughout the bout. However, Tszyu's superior firepower always posed a significant threat to Santos's chances of victory.

The decisive moment came in the eighth round when Tszyu dropped Santos twice. Following the second knockdown, referee Frank Cappuccino intervened, stopping the fight at 0:36 of the round. This victory marked a crucial step for Tszyu, as it set him up for a future bout against Julio Cesar Chavez, who was then the WBC No. 1 contender. The win showcased Tszyu's dominance in the super-lightweight division and reinforced his position as a formidable champion.