By Miguel Angel Cebreros, notifight.com
    
The brand new Super Bantamweight Champion of the World Boxing Council (WBC), Leo Santa Cruz, is closing the strongest part of his preparation for his first title defense at 122 pounds against dangerous Puerto Rican challenger Cesar Seda Jr. on December 14 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The fight will be televised by Showtime. 
 
Santa Cruz (25-0-1, 15 KOs) is training at full speed for his clash with Seda (25-1, 17 KOs) at the Who's Next Boxing Academy in City Industry, California, under the eyes of his father and trainer Don José Santa Cruz.
 
Did you study Cesar Seda Jr. well?

Yes, we are studying. He is a good boxer, moves a lot. We will cut off the ring, we're going to put pressure on him to drown him, and hopefully we can finish it before the twelve rounds.

If he moves too much, you have to hit down the body to remove the legs and that will make him stand and fight.
 
Do shorter opponents bother you?

Yes, he's shorter than me, and I like it better when opponents are my height because they is easier to hit. The shorties are a little harder, they move, bow their heads and that makes things complicated, but we are prepared.
 
Was it difficult to find lefties for sparring?

At the beginning we struggled, but then I found some who work from both sides and we are working with them.
 
Are you motivated more to face a Puerto Rican?

Yes, because between Puerto Rico and Mexico there are always great wars, there is a great rivalry in boxing, and I want to leave with my country of Mexico on top. And I want to give satisfaction to the Mexicans.
 
After Cesar Seda who is next for you?

I am willing to fight with anyone, but I think I have face Christian Mijares because he is talking a lot, and really deserves a chance. Even this fight on December 14 was going to be with him but something happened with the negotiations and the fight wasn't made.
 
Are you going to featherweight after that?

Yes, two or three more fights, and if all goes well I want to move up to featherweight to look for a third divisional world title.
 
And will you look at featherweight at facing Abner Mares?

Yes, there is Mares, and hopefully next year that fight will be given to the people. He has a rematch with Jhonny Gonzalez, and if he wins maybe we could face him for that title..