On Thursday afternoon WBC Featherweight World Champion Daniel Ponce de Leon, Two-Division World Champion Abner Mares, and former IBF Bantamweight World Champion Leo Santa Cruz held a media workout. This was in preparation for their fights in Las Vegas on the “MAY DAY: Mayweather vs. Guerrero” pay-per-view fight card to be held on May 4. The fight will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV. Also in attendance was Golden Boy Promotions’ Oscar De La Hoya.

As is the norm, each of the fighters spent quite a bit of time doing interviews and taking pictures. The time spent in the ring for the three men was more of a photo opportunity than any real workout – again, not unusual.

Santa Cruz was first of the fighters to arrive. When he stepped in the ring he did a little bit of shadow boxing and jumped rope. Leo, with a record of 23-0-1 with 13 KOs, is preparing to face off against Venezuelan Alexander Munoz (36-4, 28 KOs). Munoz, who is 10 years Santa Cruz’ senior, has only fought in the States twice, the last being back in 2006. Most of his battles have been fought in his home country or in Japan. A bit earlier I had asked him about his upcoming fight. “My opponent has the power to be really explosive so we want to watch out for his punches and not get hit, but we’ve been training really hard. I’m really excited and happy to be on the Mayweather card. This is the biggest fight I’ve ever been in. This is a dream come true. “Hard work and dedication pays off. And thanks to Golden Boy and to my manager Al Haymon, everything has been going better. “I’m gonna try really hard to give the fans and all the people a good fight so they like me and I can get more fans.”

Abner Mares was next. Mares, with a record of 25-0-1 and 13 KOs, also did a little bit of shadow boxing when he got in the ring. Abner’s opponent is of course, Ponce de Leon, and Mares’ goal will be to keep his WBC featherweight belt. “I’m excited and looking forward to May 4,” Mares later said. “It will be a great fight. I’m on the undercard; I’m the co-main event for Mayweather. I’m excited to be showcasing my talent, my name, and my brand. “It’s Cinco de Mayo weekend, it’s a Mexican weekend, so with that said, I’m Mexican so I’ve gotta make it my night. I’ve got to give people a great fight and a great show. “Training is going well, camp is good, I can’t ask for more. I can’t wait to fight!” De Leon was the last man scheduled, and he did a little shadow boxing and some work with the mitts. Daniel’s record is and impressive 44-4 with 35 KOs, and he will be trying his hardest to grab the WBC featherweight belt away from Mares. When Daniel was explaining his method of fighting, he said it quite simply.

“I have only one style, come forward. Once the bell rings, I’m gonna throw punches down, up, head, everywhere.

“I think I have an advantage, because I was very strong at 122, and now I fight at 126. I have been fighting there for so many years. He doesn’t have that advantage because he’s just jumped up. When he feels the power he won’t know what’s going on.

“Years ago Mexico was in war all the time. Now, I’m gonna revive that war on May 4. Then, we’re gonna share that victory with my friends, with my fans, and with everybody that night. It’s gonna be a special night.”