Tonight at 10:00 p.m. ET on ESPN a Premier Boxing Champions card headlined by a featherweight title fight between unbeaten Leo Santa Cruz (30-0-1, 17 KO) and Abner Mares (29-1-1, 15 KO) will get underway. Live stream the fight free by clicking this link.

Tonight's main event is one of the most anticipated PBC fights yet because it is one of the most even matchups to date. Santa Cruz has the edge in record, but has been criticized for rising to the top thanks to easy matchmaking. Mares, on the other hand, is continuing to rebuild his credibility as a top-flight star following a shocking knockout loss in Round 1 to Jhonny Gonzalez in 2013.

Santa Cruz admits that criticism from fans stings him, because he aims to please and his fighting style encourages brawling.

"It has always been in my mind. I always see the comments and messages and it bothered me because I want to please them. I want to give them the fight they want but it's not just up to me," he said. Against Mares, he won't take shots for fighting an easy opponent.

Mares is at a big disadvantage in height and reach this time out. Where the scale tilts in Mares' favor is experience against tougher opposition.

"My experience is going to be the difference in this fight. I've faced tougher opponents and been a three-time champion. Every time that I fight someone at this level, it brings the best out of Abner Mares."

Prediction: Santa Cruz def. Mares by TKO (Round 10)

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