Santa Cruz Says He’s Not Afraid of Rigondeaux, Still Wants To Fight Mares

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    Leo Santa Cruz has become a fan favorite because of his all action style. His punches in punches and steady body work make him must see for fans and must feel for an opponent’s rib cage. But Leo Santa Cruz does have one problem and it’s no fault of his in. It’s the lack of opponents because of the ongoing cold war that exists in boxing. With Golden Boy not having depth at the 122 and the 126 lb. divisions, Golden Boy has brought up smaller guys to face Santa Cruz like his last opponent in Cesar Seda.

    And Saturday is no different as he takes on Cristian Mijares, a career super flyweight. With that being said, he’s not letting that deter his training and concentration.

    “It’s a tough fight. Mijares is a great experience fighter but that’s what we’re here for, to take on tough fights and give the fans what they want. That’s what you’ll get Saturday night,” Santa Cruz told ThaBoxingVoice.com.

    After this fight, Santa Cruz is thinking outside the box and even considering taking on the top European challengers and title holders. “Hopefully we get the win, and then I get Carl Frampton from Ireland. He wants to fight me so him or Kiko Martinez. Even Rigondeaux, I want to fight him but he’s with another promoter,” explained Rigondeaux.

    Now that is true. The possibility of a fight between the two is mute as long as both fighters are on different sides of the fence. But Caribe Promotions who co-promote Rigondeaux says that Rigondeaux’s fight in Macau is the last on his Top Rank contract, which leaves the possibility of having a fight for 122 lb. supremacy. Santa Cruz acknowledges the fight and has taken certain exception for the trash talk coming from Team Rigondeaux.

    “Of course I want to fight him because he’s been talking a lot of things that I’m scared of him and things like that. So I’m not scared of nobody but because he’s with Top Rank I’m not going to say nothing but if he isn’t with them anymore I’m willing to fight him anytime,” stated Santa Cruz.

    The one fight that Golden Boy was angling was a potential fireworks bout between Santa Cruz and Abner Mares. But those plans were halted after Mares suffered a knockout loss against underdog Jhonny Gonzalez. The rumor now is that Mares will return on the May 3rd undercard of Floyd Mayweather in a move up to 130 lbs., thus making him and Santa Cruz two weight classes apart. However Leo Santa Cruz says that he still wants to fight Mares and will do what it takes to see him in the ring.

    “He’s (Mares) going to move up to 130. I still want the Mares fight if they still want it. Hopefully in the Staples Center, so if I have to move up in weight I’m willing to move up.”