BOXING (August 29)

[H2O Man]

August 29, on ESPN

Los Angeles: Leo Santa Cruz vs. Abner Mares; 12 rounds; featherweights.

The PBC-promoted fights that have brought boxing back to “basic” television in 2015 have often proven more attractive “on paper” than in the ring. Despite the higher ranking of the boxers featured on the PBC cards -- often including former champions, and always featuring guys who could be challenging for a title in their next bout -- the majority of the main events have not risen to the level of “great” fights.

This is, of course, because styles make fights. Hence, while boxing purists (such as myself) love a duel between two good counter-punchers -- think of Ray Leonard vs. Wilfred Benitez -- such bouts never bring the average sports fan to the edge of their seats ….much less, to their feet (especially if they can change channels with a remote).

Indeed, a number of the ESPN Friday Night Fights had under cards with fighters ranked in the top 20, that provided far more excitement than last May’s Super Fight between Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Manny Pacquiao. While as a purist, I will never tire of watching that fight, in which Mayweather dominated Pac Man so overwhelmingly that it could be mistaken for “easy,” I also love a good brawl.

Saturday night’s bout, between two high-ranking Mexican-American warriors, promises to be exciting. No matter if it ends in the first round, or goes all twelve rounds, both of these former champions bring fan-friendly styles to the ring. And, as is common in the sport, the “little” men tend to throw a lot more punches per round, than the heavyweights. In fact, Leo Santa Cruz is noted as the highest-volume puncher in the sport today (Teddy Atlas was only slightly exaggerating earlier in the week, when he said Leo averages 2,000 punches per fight. He frequently throws more than 100 per round.)

Let’s take a quick look at each man, then discuss the fight! Leo, 27 years old, stands 5’ 7.5”, and has a 69” reach; Abner, 29, is 5’ 4.5” tall, with a 66” reach. Leo’s record is 30-0-1; Abner’s is 29-1-1. Both have held titles in lower weight classes; this bout is for the vacant WBA junior lightweight title.

Mares has more experience against high-quality opposition, although Santa Cruz has fought anyone and every one willing to fight him. Mares has superior ring skills, while Santa Cruz tends to have “one gear” -- coming straight forward, throwing almost non-stop combinations. Both men have punching power, although neither are consider to be explosive punchers. Santa Cruz in particular wears down and then overwhelms his opponents.

Mares has earned his reputation as one of the dirtiest fighters of recent eras. In particular, he mixes numerous low blowsin with his body attack. He definitely does so purposefully -- usually going low with whatever hand is further away from the referee. He uses his head and elbows efficiently, too, while fighting on the inside. Thus, two things will likely be important: first, if the referee enforces the rules; and second, how Leo responds if the ref fails to control the fight.

The other question has to do with Mares’ chin. For most of his career, he displayed an ability to take a solid punch. However, in August of 2013, he was knocked out in the first round by veteran Jhonny Gonzales. In that fight, Mares was decked twice, and was knocked unconscious by punches landed before the surprised referee was able to respond. Although Mares has won three fights since that stunning loss, they were against limited opposition.

Hence, Saturday will be the first real test Abner has had since suffering a serious concussion. As a rule, even great fighters have damage after being injured in that extreme a manner. Although Santa Cruz isn’t known for “one punch” kayo power, the accumulative hard punches he throws pose a serious risk to Mares’ well-being -- and that’s not limited to this bout.

The boxing community has made Mares a slight favorite. I have no problem with that. However, because Santa Cruz is undefeated -- and doesn’t know how to lose -- I see the bout as 50-50. I think that’s it’s just as likely that Leo comes out the winner, as Abner.

Either way, it promises to be an intense, and entertaining, fight between two very talented warriors. Enjoy the fight!

[KamaAina]

1. I shall.

Both PBC and Golden Boy have been dark for weeks and weeks.

[H2O Man]

2. There were some good

fights on ShowBox last night. All three bouts were interesting -- plus two were heavyweight fights, and one ended in the first round.

I think tonight's main event could resemble the May, 2005 bout between Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo.

[KamaAina]

6. Of course there were.

On a pay channel.

[H2O Man]

9. There are some

outstanding fights coming up in the last third of 2015!

[H2O Man]

3. PS:

We've talked about Floyd retiring. I don't know if you've read or seen him talk about Uncle Roger recently. But things aren't going well, health-wise, for the uncle who has been so close to Floyd's career. And Floyd understands the role that boxing has played.

At the same time, though, it sounds like he hasn't entirely ruled out winning the middleweight title if Cotto wins in November.

[TSIAS]

4. I expect a good fight

Some have compared it to Morales-Barrera I, where Santa Cruz is the undefeated fighter and Mares is a solid professional who believe is on the downside.

It's hard to tell how Mares will respond. He sat out his managerial contract and never rematched Gonzalez. He's with Virgil Hunter, who is more of a defensively minded trainer. We haven't seen him against a top-tier opponent since taking the KO1 loss two years ago.

Santa Cruz has not been impressive of late, either. His rise in 2012, winning the title in June and then defending it three times in six months, made him a fan favorite along with his proclivity for throwing 100 + punches per round.

Unfortunately, since then he's been matched with less than stellar opposition. It's been good financially for Santa Cruz, making $500,000 or more on PPV undercards, but we'll have to see how he fights against arguably his best opponent.

It would be surprising if either fighter scored a KO. The only way Mares gets a KO is if he is allowed to land 40 low blows like he did against Agbeko. Santa Cruz isn't a big power puncher either.

I give a slight edge to Mares, winning a decision in the range of 7-5.

[H2O Man]

7. Right.

I believe that Leo has been willing to fight better opponents, but there hasn't been an interest in fighting him ..... I also think that he has cut weight recently, and that might have played a role in his not looking great in some recent bouts. But he had better be well-prepared tonight.

I do find him more likable than Mares. And a lot of that has to do with the Agbeko fight, which ranks high among the most crooked refereeing that I've ever witnessed.

Your prediction sounds about right. If I were to pick one, I'd go with Mares.

[TSIAS]

5. Mosley/Mayorga as well

This is one of the rare times I won't buy a PPV. I like Mosley's more outlandish personality, but this fight is not credible. Mayorga couldn't come close to making weight, and pre-staged antics is all they have to sell this fight.

Speaking of not being credible, somehow the WBA has decided to declared its 3rd Featherweight Champion, decreeing the winner of Mares/Santa Cruz as their super champion. I don't understand their super, regular, and interim championship belts. I can't see how someone not even ranked #1 by their organization can win a superior belt than the one currently held by Jesus Cuellar. I'm thinking this is the WBA's way of making their sanctioning fees of a bout where the contestants earn a combined 2.5M. If they get 3 %, which I believe is the fee, the WBA gets 75k and gives the winner their "diamond" belt.

[H2O Man]

8. Mosley vs Mayorga II

is one of the few fights that I have no interest in. I feel bad that Mosley isn't able to stay retired -- though I certainly understand "old fighters' disease." I'm sure he misses the excitement, and from either ringside or his living room, that he thinks, "Why, I'd kick either one of their asses!" when he sees guys today.

He really did have a hall-of-fame career. But he should leave it at that. Taking punches at his age (especially his "ring age," as he has boxed for so many years) isn't good for the long term.

[H2O Man]

10. Two rounds in ....

outstanding fight!

[H2O Man]

11. Great fight!

[H2O Man]

12. Santa Cruz wins!

Leo Santa Cruz won by majority decision ( two judges had it 117- 111, and one had it 114-114 ). The “punch-stats” indicate what type of fight it was -- Leo threw 1057 punches, and Abner threw 980. Safe to say that there were no boring rounds!

Mares came out surprisingly strong for the first two rounds, pushing Santa Cruz backwards and out-punching him on the inside. By the third round, Leo was able to dictate the range, by reaching Mares with his jab. That allowed Santa Cruz to land his right cross frequently, and the left-right combination from that distance made the difference on the score cards. The pair’s inside fighting appeared even throughout.

I found the bout particularly entertaining, because it was called by the ESPN crew. Teddy Atlas remains, by far, the most insightful boxing commentator. He focused on the connection between Santa Cruz’s having never fought this good of opposition before, and how Leo absolutely stepped up and showed he had more ability than we had ever seen before.

There is likely to be a re-match. Or, as Joe Tessitore noted, this has the makings of a classic trilogy.