Counter-puncher wrote:not sure how this one is going to turn out. i think if Santa Cruz shows any ability to get punches off early on, we'll see a lot of mauling and spoiling from Mares. if Santa Cruz isn't that threatening i think Mares will try to pot-shot a bit from the outside; I don't see Mares trying to exchange on the inside, either way.
Great analysis. I personally don't know what Mares has left. Since Gonzo did him he's looked a completely different fighter. LSC hasn't got the power to do anything like that job but is as Naandrew says a fecking huge drainer & may just be too strong & roll right over Abner.
In his pre-Gonzo form (didn't he change trainers before that fight? He was with Espinoza all the time he was coming up/winning bantam titles...) I'd've gone--pretty confidently--for Mares to box LSC's ears off, just 'cos Cruz's opposition has been garbage squared & I have no idea exactly how good the boy actually is. With today's Mares, I dunno. I just... Dunno.
It's an odd one, & wouldn't surprise me too much to see a draw or a controversial ending with Mares not looking as good as he used to & LSC giving a sort of mediocre performance as well & after the dust settles, we all still sit around going "That Santa Cruz, is he any good then? & Mares, is he shot or what?"
The support bout will show whether or not Ceja belongs at an elite level, Ruiz took the best Kameda brother (the kiddie who used to be thought of as the best Kameda brother, anyway) close, though he was outhustled. Ruiz is big at the weight, I'm sure, & can whack though he's more heavy-handed than dynamite.
Two really goddamn intriguing fights, at least one (the support fight) with the potential to be a proper hardcore war.
I was hoping BN would pick it up, I imagine it'll be better than the Mosely bout.