Leo Santa Cruz vs. Abner Mares PBC On ESPN Preview
By Chris Alexander, Real Combat Media Boxing LA/Nevada Video Reporter
Los Angeles, CA (April 28th, 2015)– Leo Santa Cruz and Abner Mares have both been in exciting fights and won world titles in multiple divisions two for Santa Cruz, three for Mares — but lately they have taken a lot of criticism from fight fans for their latest opponents.
That will change soon because, after so much fan demand, the two Mexico-born, Southern California-based fighters will headline Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN Aug. 29 (10 p.m. ET) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
“I’m really excited for this fight,” said Mares, who has won world titles at bantamweight, junior featherweight and featherweight. “It’s a fight the fans have been asking for, and I’m ready to give them what they want: a great show and a great victory.”
Santa Cruz 30-0-1, 17 KOs, junior featherweight champion, fought his last bout at featherweight to get his feet wet in the division in anticipation of the showdown with Mares.
He defeated Jose Cayetano, with a 10-round unanimous decision on May 2 on the Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao undercard. It seemed to be yet another soft-touch opponent for Santa Cruz, and was criticized by fans for the match even though Al Haymon his manger who was responsible for picking the opponent.
“This fight means so much to me because I know it is what the fans have been waiting for,” Santa Cruz said. “The opportunity to fight at Staples Center against a Mexican warrior and great fighter in Abner Mares is one that I plan on taking very seriously.”
“We have been preparing for this moment for a very long time, and I’m so glad it’s finally here,” Santa Cruz said. “A win is going to take one of us to the next level.”
Mares (29-1-1, 15 KOs), 29, has faced overall excellent opposition, having won titles in three weight classes during a 21-month stretch between 2011 and 2013 where he defeated top fighters such as Joseph Agbeko to win a bantamweight title (and again in a rematch), Eric Morel to win a junior featherweight title, Anselmo Moreno and Daniel Ponce De Leon to win a featherweight belt.
Santa Cruz and Mares will be on the same card in the same arena finally fighting each other.
“We’re honored to bring this highly anticipated showdown between Leo Santa Cruz and Abner Mares to the great Southern California boxing fans,” said Tom Brown of TGB Promotions. “Leo and Abner have risen to the top of the sport and this much talked about battle at the Staples Center is a fight not to be missed.”
Said Mares: “L.A. is my home. I train here, grew up here and I’m ready to show this city and the world that I am the champ,” Mares said. “I’m proud to be part of this great event on ESPN at Staples Centers. Boxing is bigger than ever. Whatever you do, don’t miss this fight.”
In the Co-feature bout, two of Mexico’s power punchers Hugo Ruiz 35-2, 30 KOs and Julio Cesar Ceja 28-1, 26 KOs will square off in a super bantamweight world title match as the televised opener for Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on ESPN and ESPN Deportes on Saturday, August 29 from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.
Also fighting on the card
Lightweights: Alejandro Luna 18-0, 13 KOs vs. Yakubu Amidu 19-7-2, 17 KOs
Welterweights: Jessie Roman 19-2, 9 KOs vs. Hector Serrano 17-4, 5 KOs
Super Middleweights: Paul Mendez 19-2-2, 9 KOs vs. Andrik Saralegui 19-2, 15 KOs
Middleweights: Brian Castano 12-0, 9 KOs vs. Jonathan Batista 14-6, 7 KOs
Middleweights:Alan Castano 8-0, 5 KOs vs. Thomas Howard 8-4, 4 KOs
Welterweights: Anthony Flores 8-0, 5 KOs vs. Curtis Morton 3-4-3
Bantamweights: Antonio Santa Cruz (Debut) vs. Isaiah Najera 0-1
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @REALCOMBATMEDIA
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: REALCOMBATMEDIA
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM : REALCOMBATMEDIA
CHECK OUT OUR QUALITY SPONSORED PRODUCTS
NUTRIENT RICH HEMP PLANT PROTEIN
IMPROVE BRAIN FUNCTION WITH ‘ALPHA BRAIN’
IMPROVE YOUR ENERGY WITH SHROOMTECH
English
No Comments Yet