Mexican boxing stars Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz (30-0-1, 17 KOs) and Abner Mares (29-1-1, 15 KOs) met today at Plaza Mexico to officially announced their Saturday, August 29 Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN showdown taking place at STAPLES Center.
The fighters hosted an open-to-the-public press conference and fan rally to discuss their upcoming bout with media members and met with fans to sign autographs and take pictures.
Hundreds of fans attended the event at Plaza Mexico in Linwood and the fighters stayed to sign autographs for over two hours afterwards.
Here’s what the two fighters and their trainers had to say:
LEO SANTA CRUZ
“I want to thank all of the fans who are here and I appreciate the support. We always train 100 percent like we’re fighting for a championship.
“I think the fans are the ones who are going to win on August 29th. They are going to get a great fight out there. It’s going to be a war.
“I don’t care what he said about my competition. I’ve wanted to fight him for a long time, this going to be a great fight.
“He likes to talk about different things. I’m not going to talk as much. I’m going to be prepared on August 29th and I’m going to be victorious.
“No one wants to lose and may the best man win.”
ABNER MARES
“I want to thank everybody who made this fight possible.
“Leo Santa Cruz is a fighter who has fought nothing but C-level fighters. Now he’s fighting an A-level fighter. I’m going to show him what an A-level fighter does and that’s win.
“I pushed for this fight, he never really wanted to face me. I’ve wanted to fight him for a while. We fought on the same card at Stapes Center and I wanted to fight him since then.
“We sparred a while back, about 30 rounds, but I don’t put much into the sparring. We’re both different fighters now.
“This is a great fight for the fans and I look forward to the whole world being able to watch.
“I’m going to beat Leo Santa Cruz come May 29th, don’t miss the fight.”
JOSE SANTA CRUZ, Santa Cruz’s Father & Trainer
“Team Santa Cruz doesn’t speak much. Mares and his team can talk and say all that they want but we’re going to demonstrate our talent on Saturday, August 29th at the Staples Center.”
CLEMENTE MEDINA, Mares Trainer
“I’m so glad everyone could be out here to support these fighters. This is a fight that has been discussed for two years and we are ready.
“I appreciate Leo Santa Cruz taking this fight. We’re going to be prepared, we’re focused. On Saturday, August 29th, team Mares is going out for the victory.”
TOM BROWN, President of TGB Promotions
“Leo and Abner are two of boxing’s toughest warriors. Both Southern California based and having watched both of them since they turned pro it is an honor to promote this Southern California matchup.”
The 12-round featherweight bout will take place Saturday, August 29 live in primetime on ESPN from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. Televised coverage for the highly-anticipate event begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are priced at $25, $50, $75, $150 and $200, not including applicable fees and service charges, and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at AXS.com, by phone at 888-929-7849 or at the STAPLES Center.
