With over two weeks remaining for their next bouts Southern California fighters WBA featherweight champion Leo Santa Cruz (32-0-1, 18 KO's) of Lincoln Heights, California, former world champion Mikey Garcia (34-0, 28 KO's) of Oxnard, and L.A. based lightweight contender Ivan Redkach (19-1-1, 15 KO's) of Ukraine worked out for media at the City of Angels Boxing Club in Los Angeles. The three fighters will be featured on separate bouts Saturday July 30 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York live on Showtime. We spoke to the three fighters as they talked about their preparations and upcoming bouts.
Santa Cruz will be taking on Northern Ireland's undefeated Carl Frampton (22-0, 14 KO's) as he will be defending his WBA featherweight title for the second time in headlining the Showtime Championship Boxing telecast.
"Frampton is one of my toughest challenges. He is an Irish star, has great skills, power and he moves good around the ring. We are both undefeated and none of us want to lose," Santa Cruz said. "I have never fought or been to New York, not everyone knows me there but I want to give a great fight to make more fans," Santa Cruz said
"I am excited and glad he (Mikey Garcia) will be fighting on this card. It feels good having another Mexican fighter fighting over there in Brooklyn," Santa Cruz on Mikey Garcia fighting on the card.
"I want to make it a war but we have to fight smart. I will go after him to make him fight, I will stay on top of him," Santa Cruz said.
Mikey Garcia will be making his return to the ring after a two year absence as he will take on Dominican former world champion Elio Rojas (24-2, 14 KO's).
"I was never out of the gym but I was always sparring ten to twelve rounds to keep myself busy. I was never gone and don't see why I will have ring rust. Right now I think I have more hunger,"
"I seen Elio Rojas fight before. He was a champion at 126 and is a good experienced fighter,"
"This fight is at maximum 140 but after this we will move down to 135. I really want to win a title at 135,"
The Ukrainian slugger Redkach will be featured on the Showtime Extreme card taking on Philadephia's Tevin Farmer (21-4-1, 5 KO's) of Philadelphia.
"I am excited to be fighting on this card and to get back in the ring,"
"Farmer is a good boxer and fast,"
"We are working with Santa Cruz and his brother Antonio, I am learning to box more,"
"I come to win and hopefully by knockout,"
Follow Miguel on Twitter @MigMaravilla