The World Boxing Association (WBA) Champions Leo Santa Cruz and Abner Mares held a press conference to present the next defenses of their crowns. The champions shared with the journalists in Los Angeles the details of their upcoming fights in that city on October 14.
Santa Cruz will defend his Super Championship at 126 pounds (Featherweight) against American Chris Avalos. The Mexican had two fights against British Carl Frampton, he lost the first one but in the second one, he snatched the belt from him. The champion thanked the promoters for making the fight possible and honored Avalos, who he considers a very brave fighter.
On the other hand, Mares, who is the Regular Champion of the same category, will defend his belt against Andrés Gutiérrez, also Mexican. The boxer also thanked the organizers and the WBA for the opportunity and expressed he will face with caution this bout against a hungry rival who is only 24 years old.
If they are victorious, both fighters could have a rematch to define a single champion of the category in the WBA. In 2015, they fought for the belt that today Santa Cruz owns and that he won by majority decision over Mares.