Leo Santa Cruz vs. Abner Mares

the way he systematically broke down DPDL was nasty...and Sta Cruz is like a mini-Margs on crack this indeed could be the next great trilogy...someone tweet GBP Lol that is what golden boy is working on. That is why they keeo on putting them in the same card. They are building this fight in a good way cant wait till they get in the ring together. This has morales barrera written all over it

Santa Cruz - Mares would be a fight for the ages. Santa Cruz is still relatively green but I feel he would give Mares hell and then some. At the moment I would go with Mares but I can see a tie or close decision for either of them. It could become the next great featherweight trilogy.

Actually, the more I think about it, the more I think that Santa Cruz vs. Rigo wouldn't even be competitive. Donaire would at least trade with him and likely stop him because I think Donaire would be too big/strong. But Santa Cruz wouldn't be able to catch Rigo...I will break down to you why. Some guys can move forward and pressure and have the hand and foot speed to quickly counter AS their opponent punches at them as they come in. Gary Russell Jr and Floyd Mayweather are good examples. They can apply pressure in a way that allows them to QUICKLY counter even when moving forward IN rhythm with their opponent's punches. This means that as they pressure, and their opponent punches to neutralize the pressure, they can quickly take advantage. Santa Cruz on the other hand (like Margarito) has heavier feet and are forced to pressure with their hands straight up...so in order for them to get their offense off when pressuring, their opponent has to 1. Be in front of them 2. Stopped punching because they aren't in rhythm type counter punchers. They punch AFTER their guy has stopped...and what I'm telling you is Rigo and Donaire would likely get their shiet off and be gone before Santa Cruz could respond. Refer to Pacquiao vs. DLH or Margarito for examples. I think you severely underestimate Cruz. He doesn't move anything like Marg, I said he has the stamina of Marg but he is much quicker of foot and uses his jab exceptionally. I think he gives both of them serious issues. He walks them down and sooner or later will touch them. Now I can see him losing by UD against either but I think Cruz punches harder than most think and moves much better cutting off the ring in a very intelligent way.

Yea, Santa Cruz vs. Moreno would be a great test. Honestly, I think Moreno wins. Again, I love Cruz and he is an EXCELLENT straight up, classic boxer, but that style unravels FAST against guys who are slick with quick feet and hands.

They wanted to make Santa Cruz-Moreno for the May-Guerrero card. That would have been great. you cant go wrong with Leo in the semi main on any ppv. Guaranteed to bring action and keep people tuned in.

They haven't seen the type of pressure that Santa Cruz brings. It all depends, you could be right but I have no doubt that Cruz will touch both of them often and early. His left hook to the body alone is a great weapon to slow guys like that down. Fair enough, I'm just excited about the clash of styles and what Cruz brings. Actually, the more I think about it, the more I think that Santa Cruz vs. Rigo wouldn't even be competitive. Donaire would at least trade with him and likely stop him because I think Donaire would be too big/strong. But Santa Cruz wouldn't be able to catch Rigo...I will break down to you why. Some guys can move forward and pressure and have the hand and foot speed to quickly counter AS their opponent punches at them as they come in. Gary Russell Jr and Floyd Mayweather are good examples. They can apply pressure in a way that allows them to QUICKLY counter even when moving forward IN rhythm with their opponent's punches. This means that as they pressure, and their opponent punches to neutralize the pressure, they can quickly take advantage. Santa Cruz on the other hand (like Margarito) has heavier feet and are forced to pressure with their hands straight up...so in order for them to get their offense off when pressuring, their opponent has to 1. Be in front of them 2. Stopped punching because they aren't in rhythm type counter punchers. They punch AFTER their guy has stopped...and what I'm telling you is Rigo and Donaire would likely get their shiet off and be gone before Santa Cruz could respond. Refer to Pacquiao vs. DLH or Margarito for examples.

I actually thought they was fighting each other when they had their Press Conference but that is not the case instead they are just fight on the same card. That is good news for Leo because I don't think he is ready for Abner JUST YET. But clearly GBP is working to make that a Huge Match Up by putting them on the same card. But right now I like Mares beats Leo Santa Cruz, too seasoned and too battle tested Leo at the moment. I would actually like to see Leon take on some of Mares Previous Opponents like Chemito Moreno, Joseph Agbeko, Ponce De Leon and guys like that before jumping in with Mares They wanted to make Santa Cruz-Moreno for the May-Guerrero card. That would have been great.

I actually thought they was fighting each other when they had their Press Conference but that is not the case instead they are just fight on the same card. That is good news for Leo because I don't think he is ready for Abner JUST YET. But clearly GBP is working to make that a Huge Match Up by putting them on the same card. But right now I like Mares beats Leo Santa Cruz, too seasoned and too battle tested Leo at the moment. I would actually like to see Leon take on some of Mares Previous Opponents like Chemito Moreno, Joseph Agbeko, Ponce De Leon and guys like that before jumping in with Mares

If there's any prospect/contender today that I hope ends up reaching his potential, it has to be Santa Cruz. He has a very enjoyable style and he's technically sound, so it's the best of both worlds.

Who wins? Let's hear it. Sidenote: I LOVE THIS FIGHT! me too. I think i'd go with Mares right now because I think he has the size and has fought better fighters.

Counter punchers who can crack like Rigo and Donaire LOVE pressure fighters. It gives them more opportunities to make them pay. Santa Cruz has a very tight D so Rigo and Donaire would likely catch a lot of gloves, but they'd probably barely let Santa Cruz get off. His ONLY short coming is he needs guys to stand in front of him and neither Rigo or Donaire going to do that...and Mares has shown enough versatility with boxing that he probably wouldn't either. They haven't seen the type of pressure that Santa Cruz brings. It all depends, you could be right but I have no doubt that Cruz will touch both of them often and early. His left hook to the body alone is a great weapon to slow guys like that down. Can he smother Rigondeaux, does he even have the foot speed to compete, is his chin up for the task, too many unanswered questions. He hasn't faced the kind of opposition that would tell me otherwise, then again there ain't anything remotely close to a Rigondeaux. Santa Cruz will also be in front of Donaire, does he have the physical strength to push Donaire back, can he neutralize the counter left hook, or avoid some of Donaire's other weapons like the uppercut or overhand right? Lets remember he has a wider arsenal of punches when you stand in front of him. I'll wait this one out... Fair enough, I'm just excited about the clash of styles and what Cruz brings.

Man I hope Santa Cruz ends up being legit. He looks like the real deal to me, but you never know. I don't think there's a more fun fighter in the sport to watch. He throws so much yet every single shot is accurate and has some real snap. And he has a jab.

It's not ridiculous because I know boxing, and pressure is a mother fuker to deal with. I don't think people understand how good this kid really is. His defense is amazing when you consider the style he uses. He catches and counters so well, it's scary. His stamina is Marg like and he has no weak punches. His jab, left hook and right hand are a terror. I'm telling you, Santa Cruz is going to be a beast. Can he smother Rigondeaux, does he even have the foot speed to compete, is his chin up for the task, too many unanswered questions. He hasn't faced the kind of opposition that would tell me otherwise, then again there ain't anything remotely close to a Rigondeaux. Santa Cruz will also be in front of Donaire, does he have the physical strength to push Donaire back, can he neutralize the counter left hook, or avoid some of Donaire's other weapons like the uppercut or overhand right? Lets remember he has a wider arsenal of punches when you stand in front of him. I'll wait this one out...

It's not ridiculous because I know boxing, and pressure is a mother fuker to deal with. I don't think people understand how good this kid really is. His defense is amazing when you consider the style he uses. He catches and counters so well, it's scary. His stamina is Marg like and he has no weak punches. His jab, left hook and right hand are a terror. I'm telling you, Santa Cruz is going to be a lb for lb fighter real soon. Counter punchers who can crack like Rigo and Donaire LOVE pressure fighters. It gives them more opportunities to make them pay. Santa Cruz has a very tight D so Rigo and Donaire would likely catch a lot of gloves, but they'd probably barely let Santa Cruz get off. His ONLY short coming is he needs guys to stand in front of him and neither Rigo or Donaire going to do that...and Mares has shown enough versatility with boxing that he probably wouldn't either.

I hope it's made later on down the road. At the moment LSC needs some more polishing. Alberto Guevara showed some holes in LSC's strat, which could cause him trouble vs a more experienced fighter. Regardless, im a HUGE Biased fan of both. Sue me...

Santa Cruz looks great against guys who stand right in front of him. I don't think Leo is ready for this fight yet. Santa Cruz didn't look that great against Guevara because he used his legs and lateral movement so Leo wouldn't be set to punch. Guevara is a talented young kid but Mares is a much better boxer with a wealth of experience. Great post and I agree. Mares movement would likely make the difference. And it's why I can't fathom Santa Cruz beating Rigo, probably not Donaire either.

interesting...can you break down the +/- for fighters? im curious about the formula http://compuboxonline.com/plusminus/ I really like Santa Cruz, but he hasn't fought a real threat yet. Terrazas is his first step-up and it should answer some questions.

I like Cruz as much as the next man but that might be a ridiculous thing to say considering his chin hasn't really been put to the test. It's not ridiculous because I know boxing, and pressure is a mother fuker to deal with. I don't think people understand how good this kid really is. His defense is amazing when you consider the style he uses. He catches and counters so well, it's scary. His stamina is Marg like and he has no weak punches. His jab, left hook and right hand are a terror. I'm telling you, Santa Cruz is going to be a lb for lb fighter real soon.

interesting...can you break down the +/- for fighters? im curious about the formula It's very simple. It's the % of punches you land vs. the % of punches landed on you. IMO, it's the best metric to measure a fighter because it sums up their ability to balance hitting vs. getting hit (the true essence of the sport) This is the latest I've seen. http://www.boxingscene.com/uploads/65307/compubox.jpg

IMO Santa Cruz is something special and I have all the respect in the world for Mares. I think Santa Cruz beats Mares, Donaire and Rigo. I really do. I like Cruz as much as the next man but that might be a ridiculous thing to say considering his chin hasn't really been put to the test.