De La Hoya Eyes Mares vs. Santa Cruz For April/May

By Miguel Rivera

Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya is very interested in finally making an all-Mexican showdown between Southern California rivals Abner Mares (28-1-1, 15KOs) and Leo Santa Cruz (28-1, 16KOs). De La Hoya wants to make the fight in April or May, with a catch-weight of 124-pounds - as Santa Cruz would go up by two and Mares would come down by two.

First Santa Cruz has a stay busy fight on January 17th against Jesus Ruiz on the Bermane Stiverne vs. Deontay Wilder undercard from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

De La Hoya had wanted to make that match in early 2014 - but the immediate plans were changed when Mares suffered an unexpected first round knockout loss at the hands of Jhonny Gonzalez in August 2013.

"I would love to make that fight in April or May. Hopefully Leo wins on January 17 in Las Vegas and then we'll [look to make that fight]. They are among the best in their divisions. I think they and the people deserve that fight," said De La Hoya to ESPN Deportes.