WBA featherweight champion Leo Santa Cruz 37-2-1 (19) is looking forward to returning to the ring and the win column when he faces Keenan Carbajal 23-2-1 (15) in a non-title 10-rounder at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday night.
The bout will take place on the undercard of the fight between Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman 29-1 (22) and Mario ‘El Azteca’ Barrios 26-1 (17) in his welterweight debut.
Mexican Santa Cruz, 33, hasn’t seen action since October 2020 when he was on the wrong end of one of the knockouts of the year at the hands of Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis 26-0 (24).
“I’m excited to be back and entertain the fans,” Santa Cruz said. “I’m hoping there will be no ring rust because I’ve had a lot of time training hard in the gym. You never know until you’re in the ring, but I’ve been feeling good leading up to this fight.
“I’m anxious to get back in the ring. We’re going to see how my body will react to the layoff on fight night. Me and my team have been really pushing each other in training, so I believe we’re going to deliver a great fight.
“It was always my dream to fight here in Las Vegas. When I was a kid, I saw all the champions fighting here. Every time I fight in Las Vegas, I leave everything in the ring.”
Providing he is victorious this weekend, Santa Cruz wants to face WBC featherweight champion Mark Magsayo 24-0 (16) who upset the apple cart with a surprise win by majority decision over Gary Russell Jr 31-2 (18) in his last outing in Atlantic City last month.
“Hopefully everything goes well on Saturday, then I’ll be ready to fight Mark Magsayo,” Santa Cruz said. “I wanted to fight Gary Russell Jr, but that fight never happened. I think that a fight against Magsayo would be really great.
“Carbajal has the Mexican spirit to come forward and fight. This is a big opportunity for him, so I know he’s coming to win. I never underestimate any fighter. I treat every opponent like they’re a champion.
“I want to prove to the fans that I’m back and I’m ready to get back to the top of the sport. I’m going to entertain the fans like I always do. That’s what the fans deserve. They come out for great fights and that’s what I’m going to give them on Saturday.”
The 30-year-old Carbajal from Phoenix, Arizona is largely unknown but is backing his ability to get the job done.
“Everyone fights to be legendary. This is my opportunity to be great. I’m ready to show the world who I am,” Carbajal said.
“My intelligence is going to be my biggest advantage. The ex-factor is my trainer Danny Carbajal. I believe he’s the best trainer in the world. I know I’m going to step in there the best version of myself.
“I believe that I have many physical advantages over Leo. I just have to go into the ring and use them and listen to my corner.
“This is the biggest fight I’ve ever been in, but I feel comfortable. I feel at home. This is where I belong and come Saturday I’m going to show everyone the level that I’m at.
“There are going to be a lot of punches in this fight. Just like Leo, I’m never in a boring fight. I come to hurt my opponent. I don’t feel satisfied until I see them break. There’s going to be nothing but heavy punches exchanged.
“This is my moment. This is the moment we’ve been waiting for. Come February 5, expect to see a war and a fight that’ll be talked about for many years to come.”
