Leo Santa Cruz vs. Abner Mares: Fight Time, Date, Live Stream and TV Info
Premier Boxing Champions may be on the cusp of presenting an instant classic this Saturday on ESPN. The long-awaited clash between Leo "El Terremoto" Santa Cruz (30-0-1, 17 KO) and Abner Mares (29-1-1, 15 KO) will take place in Los Angeles as part of the next PBC on ESPN broadcast.
When: Saturday, August 29, at 10 p.m. ET
Where: Staples Center in Los Angeles
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TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
| 27 | Age | 29 |
| Orthodox | Stance | Orthodox |
| 5'7.5" | Height | 5'4.5" |
| 69” | Reach | 66″ |
| (17 KOs) 30 | Wins | 29 (15 KOs) |
| 0 | Losses | 1 (1 KO) |
| 55 percent | KO Percentage | 48 percent |
Fighter Speak
The 27-year-old Santa Cruz is currently the WBC super bantamweight champion, but he's stepping up to the featherweight division to face Mares. It seems just a matter of time before he makes the 125-pound division his permanent home.
The fight is being called the Battle for L.A., and Santa Cruz is embracing the narrative:
Santa Cruz has always been a fighter obsessed with pleasing the fans. Per Jason Bracelin of Premier Boxing Champions, he described his motivation for each bout: “I think of my goals, the future, how I see my family if I get the win. I think of the fans, their reaction. I just think of that and relax.”
Even with that commitment to the fans, the matchmaking for Santa Cruz's most recent fights has left the boxing community wanting more. This fight is big for him, as it should put some of the doubts about his legitimacy as an elite fighter to rest.
Mares is a former three-division champion who has to rebuild his own reputation. He's won three fights in a row since suffering his only loss to Jhonny Gonzalez in August 2013. The loss came via a vicious first-round KO.
Mares lost his undefeated record, but more importantly, he lost his aura of invincibility.
Since then, he has dropped trainer Clemente Medina, hired Virgil Hunter and then returned back to Medina. After the KO, he was trying to be more defensive-minded, thus the hookup with Hunter. Here's what he said when he made the decision to return to Medina:
Hunter's instruction worked, as Mares won a unanimous decision over Jonathan Oquendo, but the style didn't seem to fit his personality. He likes to brawl, and while a more defensive style might be an ideal fit for some, the 29-year-old is going back to brawling.
Last Time Out
Santa Cruz blew through Jose Cayetano in his last bout in May on the undercard of Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao. The fight wasn't competitive, as he won all 10 rounds on each of the three judges' scorecards. To put it plainly, the fight was a glorified sparring session, as everyone watching knew Terremoto wasn't being challenged.
Likewise, Mares didn't have to deal with a significant test in his last fight.
He also won a unanimous decision over Arturo Santos Reyes back in March. Despite his current win streak, Mares needs to capture a victory over a big name to prove the loss to Gonzalez was just a bump in the road.
What's at Stake
While the WBC Diamond featherweight belt is at stake, the title is secondary. Santa Cruz needs a win over a legitimate opponent. If he were to lose to Mares—especially if the bout wasn't a war—his approval rating would plummet.
He's won world titles in the past, but this is the biggest stage Santa Cruz has ever fought on. Because of that, it's a must-win situation.
The fight also has great meaning for Mares. He has been to the pinnacle of the lower weight class scene, but he'd love a return to prominence. If he is able to hand Santa Cruz his first loss, he'll again be considered one of the best fighters in the world weighing 135 pounds or lower.
Who Wins?
This is a tough call. There are scenarios that favor Santa Cruz and some that would give Mares an advantage. If Mares uses his movement, he has the athleticism and in-ring IQ to outbox his opponent. If he makes it a war, he could find out that the KO loss to Gonzalez has changed his resiliency to big punches. Santa Cruz isn't a big puncher, but he can wear an opponent down with cumulative punishment.
Ultimately, Mares will prove to be the better man. He'll mix in a bit of movement and slugging to keep Santa Cruz off balance. His body work will take its toll on Santa Cruz, and Mares will drop him late.
The fight won't end in a knockout, but Mares will win a unanimous decision.
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