Abner Mares: record, next fight and profile →
A few days ago, former three division world champion Abner Mares (29-1-1 and 15 knockouts) said his upcoming return was personal. He steps in the ring with Southern California rival Leo Santa Cruz (30-0-1 and 17 knockouts) on August 29th at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The fight will headline a Premier Boxing Champions card on either ESPN or NBC.
Sources with knowledge of the negotiations have advised BoxingScene.com that a deal was finalized for the overdue battle between Southern California rivals Abner Mares (29-1-1 and 15 knockouts) and Leo Santa Cruz (30-0-1 and 17 knockouts). The fight has been set for August 29th at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Premier Boxing Champions will showcase the fight on either ESPN or NBC. The fight has been talked about for several years and was close to getting made when both fighters were under Golden Boy Promotions in 2013. But then Mares, a former three division world champion, suffered an unexpected first round knockout loss to Jhonny Gonzalez. Mares has won three in a row since.
Former three division world champion Abner Mares (29-1-1 and 15 knockouts) confirms that a fight with Leo Santa Cruz (30-0-1 and 17 knockouts) has been verbally agreed upon for August 29th at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Premier Boxing Champions will showcase the fight on either ESPN or NBC. The fight has been talked about for several years and was close to getting made when both fighters were under Golden Boy Promotions in 2013. But then Mares, a former three division world champion, suffered an unexpected first round knockout loss to Jhonny Gonzalez. Mares has won three in a row since.
The long awaited battle between Abner Mares 29-1-1 and 15 knockouts, and Leo Santa Cruz 30-0-1 and 17 knockouts, is drawing closer as sources reveal the contest is being targeted for August 29th in Los Angeles, according to ESPN Deportes. The StubHub Center in Carson is said to be the frontrunner to host with the Staples Center in Los Angeles coming in as a strong second choice. Although the fight is said to be very close and both boxers have agreed to face each other, the combatants are staying very quiet regarding the details of the negotiations.
Two-division champion Leo Santa Cruz (30-0-1, 17KOs) was in Las Vegas for this past Saturday's battle between Shawn Porter and Adrien Broner. Porter was able to get off the deck in the 12th round to win a decisive unanimous decision. As for his future plans, Santa Cruz addressed rumors of a potential summer showdown against fellow Mexican Abner Mares (29-1-1, 15KOs). The fight has been rumored to be possibly taking place on either August 29th or September 5th.
There is no deal as of yet, but the negotiations continue for a featherweight battle between Mexican rivals Abner Mares and Leo Santa Cruz. The fight is being targeted to take place on a Showtime televised date of August 29th or September 5th, according to ESPN Deportes. The rumored televised co-feature is a super featherweight rematch between the champion of the World Boxing Organization, Roman 'Rocky' Martinez and former world champion Orlando "Siri" Salido. The fought in an action fight this past April with Martinez capturing the belt.
In the last year or so, both Leo Santa Cruz (30-0-1, 17KOs) and Abner Mares (29-1-1, 15KOs) - once fan favorites - have come under heavy criticism and scrutiny for taking on soft opposition. But rumors are circulating that they may face each other in the summer in Los Angeles. Santa Cruz, who currently holds the WBC 122-pound title, just recently faced Jose Cayetano on the Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao undercard at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and won a rather pedestrian ten round decision in a non-title affair. Santa Cruz says he took the fight to test the featherweight division waters.
Leo Santa Cruz (30-0-1, 17KOs) is looking to regain the faith of the fans, and says a fight with Southern California rival Abner Mares (29-1-1, 15KOs) is the way back. Fans have been attacked Santa Cruz for lack of top opponents in his recent ring appearances. Santa Cruz has taken part in some mismatches with Miguel Roman, Jesus Ruiz and Jose Cayetano. Mares, a former three division world champion, has been trying to rebuild himself since the knockout loss to Jhonny Gonzalez in August of 2013. He's won three straight since then.
Rey Vargas knows better than to look past what’s already in front of him, but the rising contender can’t help but beam over what the future has in store. The unbeaten junior featherweight is in the final stages of training for a May 23 showdown with Philippines’ Edward Mansito in Metepec, Mexico. A win will lead to an eventual run towards a major alphabet belt, or even a major fight in the absence of a title opportunity. Currently in his sights is a showdown with countryman Abner Mares, who is on the comeback trail and apparently eager for a big fight. The former three-division champ is angling for a showdown with unbeaten 122 lb. titlist Leo Santa Cruz, who is considering the possibility though it will mean having to give up his title and remaining at featherweight following his recent 10-round win over Jose Cayetano.
Three division world champion Abner Mares (29-1-1, 15KOs) is looking to return to action by mid-July and says it's very possible that he could face either Leo Santa Cruz, who just moved up 126-pounds, or WBC featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr. Mars has fought three times in the last ten months, including a ten round decision win over Arturo Reyes in March. Mares entered the Premier Boxing Champions fight with an illness. Russell (26-1) captured the WBC title in March with a fourth round destruction of Jhonny Gonzalez, who stopped Mares in one round back in August of 2013. Mares, Russell and Santa Cruz are all under contract with manager/adviser Al Haymon.