GBP "Santa Cruz - Moreno In Play"

[thewinfella]

According to World Boxing Association (WBA) bantamweight champion Anselmo "Chemito" Moreno (33-2-1, 12KOs), his team is speaking to Golden Boy Promotions about the possibility of a title unification with IBF champion Leo Santa Cruz (23-0-1, 13KOs). Moreno says the fight could possibly take place in the month of May. Santa Cruz is one of the fighters under heavy consideration for the major event taking place on May 4th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The May card will feature the return of Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the main event.

Last year Moreno moved up to super bantamweight and lost a twelve round decision to WBC champion Abner Mares. After the loss he moved back down. Santa Cruz stayed very busy last year, picking up five victories in 2012.

[Dennison]

Jamie Mcdonnell won't be pleased

[thewinfella]

I believe Santa Cruz will be the first guy to definitively back Moreno up, it is my feeling Santa Cruz will walk through him mid to late rounds and potentially take him out or at least poor it on late!

[weegriffin]

I think Moreno's movement will be the difference. Cruz is aggressive but I don't feel he closes the distance as fast as Mares. Also seemed to struggle with the movement of Alberto Guevera in his last fight in the first half of the fight.

[thewinfella]

Originally Posted by weegriffin

I think Moreno's movement will be the difference. Cruz is aggressive but I don't feel he closes the distance as fast as Mares. Also seemed to struggle with the movement of Alberto Guevera in his last fight in the first half of the fight.

I "sort-of" agree on the whole, Mares didnt do anything special or complicated, he tucked up and marched in, often leaping in! that was enough.

Santa Cruz did struggle with the clearly talented Guevara but I do feel the fact he took this fight on a weeks notice (was it a week or 2?) did affect him, he just wasnt as sharp, it didnt affect him greatly but you could see it had some phsyical affects. With his style being what it is you would have to think his shelf life will be short lived anyway.

To keep a pressure fighter off like SC, you have to be able to at least punch back when required, SC is a walk in fighter but he has that Mexican ring craft about him, he has enough IQ to apply it to pure boxers and impose his will! Moreno will un-doubtidly put rounds in the bank, but to do so he will be working very very hard and will begin to take flush, hard shots with both hands.

Late rounds I believe he will fold!

[thewinfella]

Originally Posted by Dennison

Jamie Mcdonnell won't be pleased

People close to him will be

[AndyPaterson]

this was touted last week.

[USA Rob]

Bantamweight (118lbs)
World Championship: (Vacant)
1. Anselmo Moreno (WBA)
2. Leo Santa Cruz (IBF)
3. Shinsuke Yamanaka (WBC)
4. Joseph Agbeko
5. Koki Komeda
6. Pungluang Sor Singyu (WBO)
7. Hugo Ruiz
8. Vusi Malinga
9. Jamie McDonnell
10. AJ Banal
11. Rolly Matsushita
12. Jesus Galicia
13. Stephan Jamoye
14. Julio Ceja
15. Lee Haskins

This will be for the World Bantamweight Title.

[AndyPaterson]

I'm taking Moreno.

Fan of both fighters.

[thewinfella]

Originally Posted by AndyPaterson

I'm taking Moreno.

Fan of both fighters.

How do you see Moreno dealing with Santa Cruz defensively?

Moreno seems ok slipping and laying ones and two's. Mares "once in" threw 4's 5's and sometimes 6's, the blue print is there, further to that Santa Cruz is a better inside combination puncher than Mares, he punches with more crisp technically, Mares sometimes seems too content to just put glove on target, Santa Cruz punches for effect, even his jabs are solid and piston like!