Two WBC Title Fights On Tap Tonight In California

ByAlejandro Tostado

Big show tonight at StubHub Center in Carson, CA where the outdoor venue sees two WBC title fights in the lighter weights.

WBC featherweight ruler Abner Mares, 26-0-1 (14), looks to consolidate his hold atop the 126 pound division after winning world title belts as a bantam and super bantam, but the 27 year old Guadalajara born Californian will have to meet the challenge of teak-tough 31 year old Jhonny Gonzalez, 54-8 (46), to do so.

Gonzalez will be looking to regain his old WBC crown a year after losing it to Daniel Ponce De Leon by Technical Decision following four successful defenses.

The Mexico City based veteran is the underdog against Mares but Gonzalez has upset the odds before, dethroning Hozumi Hasegawa for the WBC feather strap in Japan and Ratanachi Sor Vorapin to win the WBO bantam trophy.

Mares will rely on his pressure style and great stamina to try and outwork the challenger but he’ll have to be careful as the taller, longer-armed Gonzalez has great one punch power.

Most of the challenger’s KO victories have come in the early rounds over the last six years and his best chance to win this involves patiently waiting in hopes that the high volume style of Mares will lead to an opening that can be exploited with a crippling power shot.

If Gonzales can’t find that opportunity and the bout goes into the later rounds, Mares will have a very big advantage and will likely retain his belt on points.

WBC super bantam champ Victor Terrazas, 37-2-1 (21), also of Guadalajara, should have all he can handle tonight in the shape of ex-IBF bantam boss Leo Santa Cruz, 24-0-1 (14), who currently holds the USBA super bantam bauble.

After a spotty career, Terrazas hit the big time this past April by upsetting Cristian Mijares by Split Decision for the vacant WBC 122 pound title while Santa Cruz, born in Michoacan and now residing in California, made three IBF 118 pound title defenses with little difficulty.

This one could be interesting; Santa Cruz is the more accomplished fighter but he didn’t exactly face world beaters as bantam and Terrazas, having fought at super bantam and above for most of his career, is the naturally bigger fighter.

Santa Cruz will likely dethrone Terrazas unless the champion can leverage his advantages and turn in a career best performance.