Abner Mares is getting another shot to beat Leo Santa Cruz although he won't face an unbeaten Santa Cruz like he did in their first encounter.
After Santa Cruz first defeated Mares, Santa Cruz would then go on to lose his first professional fight against Carl Frampton in the summer of 2016 in a Fight of the Year contender. Santa Cruz would then later avenge his loss to Frampton in the ensuing rematch in January 2017 and now Mares has a chance to hand Santa Cruz his second loss.
But even though Santa Cruz has tasted defeat much like Mares has in the past, Mares isn't too concerned over the past or perfect records. Speaking to the media at an event in California, Mares said a boxer having an undefeated career does not make or break a career.
"You think in boxing a perfect record is everything? It isn't. When you lose you know what makes you a better champion? Getting up, and becoming a champion again. Getting up every time and not quitting. That's what makes a true champion," Mares said.
Since the first loss to Santa Cruz, Mares won the WBA "regular" featherweight title in his next fight and has since then defended it once on a PBC on FOX card last year. Mares' rematch against Santa Cruz will once again be for the WBA "super" featherweight championship and headline a Showtime Championship Boxing card from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on June 9. Also on the card is a WBC junior middleweight title fight between Jermell Charlo and Austin Trout.
