On the verge of becoming boxing’s next superstar, Three-Time, Three-Division World Champion and current WBC Featherweight World Champion Abner Mares has remarkably won three divisional world titles in less than two years. On Saturday, August 24, he will return home to Southern California to defend his title against a man hungry to take that belt back, former Two-Division World Champion Jhonny Gonzalez at StubHub Center in Carson in a fight which will be televised live on SHOWTIME.
In the co-featured bout, another of the sport’s most exciting competitors, former IBF Bantamweight World Champion Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz, will look to win his second world championship when he challenges WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion Victor “Vikingo” Terrazas.
“I’m looking forward to fighting in front of my hometown fans on August 24 at StubHub Center,” said Mares. “Jhonny Gonzalez and I have a lot of respect for each other, but we know what’s at stake. I’m confident that we’re going to put on an explosive fight that fans will want to see.”
“The belt belongs to me,” said Gonzalez. “It’s time it returns to my waist. I will give it everything I’ve got on August 24.”
“I’ve made many sacrifices throughout my career to win this belt and I’m not about to give it away,” said Terrazas. “It’s obvious that Leo Santa Cruz is a talented fighter, but it’s going to take more than that for me to go back to Mexico without the belt.”
“I’m very honored to be fighting for the WBC world championship and I’m extremely motivated to train hard to take this belt home,” said Santa Cruz. “I will not let this opportunity get away from me. I will become world champion once again.”
“This doubleheader reminds me of great Los Angeles fight nights when you would see great Mexican fighters battling it out in the ring while the crowd went crazy,” said Oscar De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “That’s what we have with Mares vs. Gonzalez and Terrazas vs. Santa Cruz…four Mexican warriors fighting not only for a world championship, but for pride.”
“Abner Mares and Leo Santa Cruz are two of the most exciting and fan-friendly fighters in the sport today,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “Mares’ fight against the crafty veteran Jhonny Gonzalez is sure to be explosive, as both fighters are known for their warriors’ mentalities. This will be Santa Cruz’s first world title shot in the super bantamweight division, and he has certainly earned it after dynamic performances in his last few fights. This doubleheader makes it a night not to be missed.”
“We’re thrilled to once again play host to some of Southern California’s top boxing talent,” said Katie Pandolfo, General Manager of StubHub Center. “Fight nights at StubHub Center are unlike any other venue and we’re proud that we have become a home to some of the best that boxing has to offer. We started the summer off with a record breaking evening of boxing in June and look forward to closing out the season with a bang on August 24.”