Back To The Future: Mares promises to be himself in a city he calls his town

By Norm Frauenheim-

It starts with the look. Leo Santa Cruz has a generous smile that moms love. Abner Mares has the uncompromising eyes of a man with a stubborn point of view and readiness to fight for it. It’s a reflection of how different they are.

It’s also an intriguing look at how these unlikely business partners are linked in featherweight fight for turf and credibility Saturday night in a PBC-promoted bout at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

“My town,’’ says Mares, who was born in Mexico and grew up on the dangerous streets of LA’s Hawaiian Gardens.

It’s an unproven claim, of course. Santa Cruz , who was also born in Mexico, has his own claim. He lives in LA, too. In terms of Los Angeles’ fabled boxing real estate, it really hasn’t belonged to anybody since Oscar De La Hoya’s best days. It’s no coincidence perhaps that De La Hoya’s statue stands next to statues of Magic Johnson and Wayne Gretzky on the sidewalk outside of Staples.

It is there as a reminder that there’s still plenty at stake in a fight that some complain should have happened a couple of years ago. Fair enough. Boxing’s balkanized politics got in the way. De La Hoya once promoted both. But his only role Saturday night will be as that statue and all that it represents. Mares and Santa Cruz jumped to all Al Haymon’s venture. They moved on and into the looming showdown (ESPN 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) that has always seemed inevitable.

“I can’t really think about all of that anymore,’’ said Mares, a businessman who dismissed presidential candidate Donald Trump’s recent rip at Mexican immigrants by saying he has made millions and paid taxes in the US.. “I can’t think about why it didn’t happen earlier. I only know that it’s here and I only know that I have to take care of business.’’

For both, there’s a further burden of proof. There are questions about whether a string of forgettable opponents has dulled the Santa Cruz skillset.

“I have been leaning how to get better all of the time,’’ said Santa Cruz (30-0-1, 17 KOs), who has a significant three-inch advantage in reach. “I can box. But the brawler can come out in me too. ‘’

For Mares, there are questions about whether there are lingering effects from the stunning knockout he suffered at the hands of Jhonny Gonzalez in 2013. Mares (29-1-1, 15 KOs) has won three straight since then, but there were moments in each when he appeared tentative.

“I’m past my loss,’’ said Mares, a three-time champ who also said he has faced tougher opponents than Santa Cruz. “I’ here to make a statement: Abner Mares is back. I’m looking forward to a fourth world title. I’m looking forward to making history in this sport.’’

And maybe in his town.