Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz held a workout Tuesday before his showdown with Abner Mares on Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN on Saturday, August 29 from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.
Santa Cruz worked out for media, conducted interviews and was even presented with a birthday cake in celebration of his 27th birthday, which was Monday. The band Las Voces Del Rancho was on hand to sing him “Happy Birthday.”
LEO SANTA CRUZ
“We’re going to show everyone that we are on top when we’re in that ring. This has been a great promotion and we have hope that it’s going to be a big fight.
“I have been in other big fights and I’m doing everything to prepare for my audience and fans. They respect our team and they are the reason why we are doing this fight. I’m going to continue to fight for my fans and I’m going to do it until I’m the best in the sport.
“I’m 100 percent with my strength and conditioning. We’re ready to go 12 rounds if it takes that long.
“I’m very determined to win this fight. It’s the biggest fight of my career. I have a lot to lose I have a lot to prove. I want to prove to all of the fans that I deserve to be on this level. A win against Mares will put me on the level to get more big fights.
“I wanted this fight three years ago and they said I wasn’t on Mares’ level. I said I was going to work hard to get on that level so one day we can make it happen and here we are.
“This is the toughest fighter I’ve faced. A fight against him will be the biggest of my career. Even bigger than my first title. Mares has a bigger name, everything is bigger.
“With two Mexicans fighting, it’s always a war. There have been a lot of great battles like that in the past and I think this will be too. We could end up with a trilogy of fights.
“We both have our fan base in Los Angeles and this fight will determine who is the king and who gets all the fans.
“My dad has always been there since the beginning. I’ve always been comfortable with him. He’ll scream at me and tell it like it is.
“I think Abner moves more since his loss to Jhonny Gonzalez. He knows this fight is very important for him. There’s a lot to lose for him too. I think he’s going to bring everything this fight. That makes it an even better fight for the fans.”
