Mexican boxing legends Juan Manuel Marquez and Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. believe Abner Mares will win against compatriot Leo Santa Cruz in their upcoming showdown on Aug. 29 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Marquez told Boxing News Online that Mares cannot take too much punches, but he thinks the former World Boxing Council featherweight champion is the better fighter in terms of technique and experience.

"I think Abner Mares will win because he is a more technical fighter and more experienced," said Marquez, who predicted a 12-round unanimous decision win. "Leo Santa Cruz has the virtue of throwing good combinations, but has the defect sometimes in that he is very mechanical."

Like Marquez, Chavez also thinks Mares has the upper hand, but he is convinced the fight will be a close one. But for Mares to win, Chavez said that the 29-year-old should have a perfect fight plan and he needs to be in his best possible shape for the bout.

"It's a good fight that will end in a very close decision," Chavez said. "If Abner Mares has the proper strategy, then he can make it. But Mares has to be in good condition, physically, and, mentally. If he is not, then Leo Santa Cruz can win."

Mares, who holds a 29-1-1 record with 15 knockout victories, is coming off a unanimous decision win against Arturo Santos Reyes in March. The Guadalajara, Mexico native also won against Jose Ramirez and Jonathan Oquendo last year, which came after absorbing his lone loss -- against Jhonny Gonzalez via first-round knockout in August 2013.

On the other hand, Robert Guerrrero's father and trainer, Ruben, is convinced that Santa Cruz will win against Mares in their WBC Diamond featherweight title fight. Guerrero thinks Santa Cruz is bigger and stronger than Mares.

"I'm going with Leo Santa Cruz," Guerrero said. "He's a bad-ass fighter. Abner Mares is good too, but Leo is a bigger man and has a longer reach. I think Leo will be too strong and powerful for Mares. I'm picking Leo to win by knockout in the later rounds."

Mares, who has a 30-0-1 record with 17 knockout victories, won via eighth-round knockout against Jesus Ruiz in January and via unanimous decision against Jose Cayetano in May.