By Ben Jacobs

Kiko Martínez will enter Saturday's WBA featherweight world title fight against Leo Santa Cruz without the aid of his usual trainer Gabriel Sarmiento.  The pair, who had based the majority of their training camp in the Canary Islands were prepared for this eventuality given Sarmiento's previous legal issues. 

The Argentine, ex-trainer of former middleweight world champion Sergio Martínez, was unable to obtain a Visa in time to travel to the United States.  A member of Maravilla Box confirmed to BoxingScene.com this evening that renowned trainer Robert García will now be in Martínez’s corner for the bout. 

Likewise, he will work the corner of Kiko’s countryman, Ceferino Rodríguez who competes on the undercard against Edgar Riovalle in a welterweight clash.

Santa Cruz vs. Martinez headlines a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® tripleheader that features Mexican warriors Julio Ceja and Hugo Ruiz meeting in an awaited super bantamweight world title rematch plus heavyweights Gerald "El Gallo Negro" Washington and Oscar "Kaboom" Rivas will put their unblemished records on the line in a 10-round matchup. The action begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

  

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are priced at $27, $54, $104 and $199 and are on sale now via ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster retail locations or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the Honda Center Box Office.