by Michael Montero – A crowd of 13,109 packed the Staples Center on a hot summer night in Los Angeles to see the highly anticipated featherweight clash between Leo Santa Cruz and Abner Mares. The fight headlined a very entertaining PBC on ESPN card and would more than live up to its “Battle of LA” billing. Mares entered the ring first to a mixture of boos and cheers. Santa Cruz made his ring walk next and it was clear that the crowd was on his side, probably 3 to 1. The tension was thick as referee Jack Reiss gave the fighters their final instructions and they touched gloves. It was an electric atmosphere and the noise ringside was deafening as the opening bell sounded.
