Editorials

Leo Santa Cruz: “He’s A Great Friend, But This Is Business”

In a recent roundtable discussion, WBC Super Bantamweight champion Leo Santa Cruz (27-0-1, 15 KOs) spoke about his September 13 fight against a familiar face in Manuel Roman (17-2-3, 6 KOs).

Leo Santa Cruz Photo by Esther Lin/ Showtime

With an amateur record of over 100 bouts, WBC Super Bantamweight Champion Leo Santa Cruz (27-0-1, 15 KOs) is bound to see familiar faces in his professional career.

Whether it is from sparring at different gyms, fighting in different tournaments, or merely being present at amateur boxing shows, a fighter can become acquainted with many boxers.

Manuel Roman (17-2-3, 6 KOs) is one example, as the 26-year-old native of Baja California, Mexico steps up in weight to take on Santa Cruz in the co-main event of the September 13 rematch between Floyd Mayweather and Marcos Maidana.

Trained by Salvador Casillas and training out of the Casillas Boxing Club in Downey, California, Roman is no stranger to Santa Cruz.

As Santa Cruz himself stated in a recent roundtable discussion, Roman was a former sparring partner.

“He was my sparring partner before and he’s a really great fighter. We used to have wars in sparring,” said Santa Cruz.

The world of amateur boxing is very small, so it is not surprising that Santa Cruz has met him before.  When asked about Roman, he only had good things to say.

“He has good technique. Maybe a lot of people don’t know him, but he’s a great fighter. He has great technique, great punches and everything,” said Santa Cruz.

Indeed, Roman does possess a good jab and solid ring generalship, but he is unranked in the Super Bantamweight division.

According to BoxRec, Roman is ranked at 92 in the Bantamweight division, where has fought since 2011.

Here’s a video of his last fight, which was on May 15, 2014 against Jose Silveira.

Despite his status in the division, Roman’s being previously acquainted with Santa Cruz is an intriguing fact when considering this title fight.

Perhaps Roman is aware of a flaw or two he can take advantage of, but we’ll have to see on September 13 when he fights his former sparring partner.

As for Santa Cruz himself, the undefeated native of Michoacán de Ocampo, Mexico considers Roman a friend, but realizes that friendships do not exist in the boxing ring.

When asked if he liked that he will be fighting a former sparring partner, Santa Cruz stated, “the truth, no, because he’s a great friend, but this is business. Once we’re up there, we have to do what we have to do.”

Santa Cruz is always eager to please his fan base, usually ending his statements with a promise to give the fans a great show.

He does not overlook his current opponent, but the 26-year-old champion is aware that boxing fans want to see him in the ring with the best fighters in the Super Bantamweight division.

“If the fans want those fights, I’m willing to fight Scott Quigg, Carl Frampton, Kiko Martinez, and Guillermo Rigondeaux. If the fans want it and they’re happy, then I’m happy too.”

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