In the first episode of the three-part “Getting to Know Leo Santa Cruz” series, the two-time world champion talks about his early life struggles and how his family has always been fighting alongside him—both inside and outside the ring.
Leo Santa Cruz has had his father, Jose, in his corner throughout his entire career. (Suzanne Teresa/Premier Boxing Champions)
Despite his current level of luxury, Leo Santa Cruz does not forget the tough days as a child growing up in East Los Angeles that toughened his fighting spirit—or more importantly the family members who forged his desire to become one of the world’s best fighters after his parents moved from Mexico to the United States when he was a baby.
As he prepares for the biggest fight of his career on August 29, when he’ll face Abner Mares at Los Angeles’ Staples Center on ESPN (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT), Santa Cruz talks about his struggles and how his family has never left his side.
Follow the rest of the series leading up to the fight. And for everything related to Santa Cruz vs Mares, visit our fight page.
