{"id":58334,"date":"2016-02-18T19:11:57","date_gmt":"2016-02-19T00:11:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/?p=58334"},"modified":"2016-02-18T19:11:57","modified_gmt":"2016-02-19T00:11:57","slug":"leo-santa-cruz-ready-for-war-breaking-boxing-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/?p=58334","title":{"rendered":"Leo Santa Cruz READY for WAR – Breaking Boxing News"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"image006\"<\/a>Photo credit: Scott Hirano\/Showtime<\/strong><\/p>\n

Undefeated featherweight world champion Leo \u201cEl Terremoto\u201d Santa Cruz held an open media workout Thursday at Who\u2019s Next Boxing Academy in La Puente, Calif., as he prepares for his first title defense against Kiko \u201cSensaci\u00f3n\u201d Martinez Saturday, February 27 live on SHOWTIME from Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. <\/p>\n

Santa Cruz vs. Martinez headlines a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING\u00ae tripleheader that features Mexican warriors Julio Ceja and Hugo Ruiz meeting in an awaited super bantamweight world title rematch plus heavyweights Gerald \u201cEl Gallo Negro\u201d Washington and Oscar \u201cKaboom\u201d Rivas will put their unblemished records on the line in a 10-round matchup. The action begins at 10 p.m. ET\/7 p.m. PT.<\/p>\n

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are priced at $27, $54, $104 and $199 and are on sale now via ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster retail locations or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the Honda Center Box Office.<\/p>\n

Santa Cruz worked out alongside his father and trainer, Jose Santa Cruz, for the media in attendance and spoke about his upcoming bout and more. The workout also featured a surprise performance from Martin Castillo and a five-piece band that included a tuba and an accordion. Santa Cruz jumped rope and went through drills while traditional Mexican folk music called Corrido filled the Southern California gym.<\/p>\n

Here is what Santa Cruz and his father had to say Thursday:<\/p>\n

LEO SANTA CRUZ<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI always train to make a statement. I want to go out there and show everyone that I\u2019m really good and I deserve to be considered one of the best.<\/p>\n

\u201cI fight for my family. Since I was small, this is what I\u2019ve wanted to do to help my family. I wanted to work hard and give my family a better future.<\/p>\n

\u201cMartinez is a strong fighter who comes forward and always puts pressure on you. He never backs down and always comes to fight. That’s what we like about this matchup — it makes for a more intense fight.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe’re going to give the fans an entertaining show. The fans are the ones who are going to win at the end of the night. I’m going to go out there and try to knock him out by the end of the third round.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think he’s going to be the aggressor because he’s shorter and has to fight that way. But I’m going to go forward and be the aggressor too. If that’s not working, I’ll box him. We’re going to do what we need to do to win the fight.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see Carl Frampton vs. Scott Quigg as a 50-50 fight. It\u2019s a tough fight for both of them. I think whoever catches the other guy first will get the victory. They both can hit and they both have great skills. It could go either way.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a very interesting fight between Frampton and Quigg. They\u2019ve both been possible opponents for me and I hope that I do well that night and face the winner of that fight. I don\u2019t care who it is, I want to fight them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m willing to fight whoever. I want the winner of Frampton-Quigg. If not then Lee Selby, Gary Russell Jr., Jesus Cuellar or anyone in the division. Hopefully next it will be one of those fighters.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy fighting style is to always go forward and throw a lot of punches. I just want to entertain the fans. I fight for them and I try to send them home happy. I want to go in there and fight in a war.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to fight all of the top guys. I\u2019m still young and I know if I keep working hard and taking care of the guy in front of me, I\u2019ll get all of those fights.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re working on our distance and learning new things every day in camp. I don\u2019t want to change too much, since I\u2019m undefeated. I\u2019m going to be prepared mentally and physically to get the win.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re working hard all the time. We know what we have to do in the ring to win the fight. My last fight our strategy was to brawl but we adjusted it and moved more and we were able to get the victory.<\/p>\n

On his recent foray into boxing promotion: \u201cBeing a promoter is difficult. It\u2019s very hard. You\u2019re always busy, so right now I\u2019m focused on my boxing career. I\u2019m letting my brothers and my family take care of it now. I\u2019m not there 100 percent yet but I like to give my opinion. It\u2019s something I\u2019d like to do after I retire.\u201d<\/p>\n

JOSE SANTA CRUZ<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cLeo is very well prepared as he always is. We always train 100 percent and we are ready.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe team is ready to fight. We have one week left to rest and put some finishing touches on this camp.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going to fight Martinez with our style. We\u2019re going to do whatever we need to do to win the fight. Leo is going to take the fight to him and try to counteract whatever style Martinez brings.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s going to be a good fight. Whichever style Martinez brings, we\u2019re going to out-maneuver him and make it a good fight. I see Leo winning a decision at least if not a knockout.\u201d<\/p>\n