Undefeated Abner Mares defends his World Boxing Council featherweight title on Saturday against Jhonny Gonzalez in one of two all-Mexican title bouts at the Home Depot Center stadium.
Other bouts at the home stadium of the Major League Soccer champion Los Angeles Galaxy include unbeaten Leo Santa Cruz, a former bantamweight world champion, facing WBC junior featherweight champion Victor Terrazas.
Former world bamtamweight and super bantamweight champion Mares, 26-0 with one draw and 14 knockouts, has won six fights in a row — all for world titles — since a draw against Colombia’s Yonhy Perez in a 2010 world title fight.
“I’ve learned from every fight,” Mares said. “I’ve gained experience and I haven’t been beat up in any of my fights. I’ve learned a lot, gained experience and continue getting better and better.”
Gonzalez, 54-8 with 46 knockouts, tries to regain the crown he lost last September to compatriot Daniel Ponce de Leon, who was beaten by Mares last May.
“In that fight with Ponce De Leon I wasn’t 100 percent mentally and physically there,” Gonzalez said. “I am coming in 100 percent mentally and physically prepared.”
Mares, at 27, is four years younger than his rival, who vows that retirement is not on his mind, although moving up in weight class is in Gonzalez’s sights.
“My body still feels great. My body’s still responding in the gym and the trainings,” Gonzalez said. “This is a very important fight at this moment and we are looking forward to it and then going up another division to the super featherweight and even bigger fights there.”
Mares expects to see Gonzalez at his hard-punching peak.
“I expect the best Jhonny Gonzalez. He’s going to come with his A game,” Mares said.
“I have to prove that I am now one of the best, I’m one of the elite and I have to beat Jhonny. It’s a fight I can’t lose.”
Terrazas, 37-2 with one drawn and 21 knockouts, has lost only once since his pro debut a decade ago and seeks his 12th win in a row after taking his first world crown in April with a 12-round split decision over Mexico’s Cristian Mijares.
“He’s a young strong fighter, stronger than my past opponents,” Terrazas said. “I’m very, very motivated.”
Santa Cruz, who vacated his bantamweight world title to move up to the junior featherweight ranks, has gone the distance in only two of his past 14 fights.
“I want that title,” Santa Cruz said. “Out of my entire career, he is the one with the most experience. He comes forward pressuring a lot. If he is always right there in front of me. We are going to have a war.”
Unbeaten Mares defends crown against Gonzalez
