Leo Santa Cruz gets back to work on Jan. 17 (Photo: Naoki Fukuda)
By Chris Robinson
Looks like always-exciting WBC junior featherweight champion Leo Santa Cruz will be returning to the ring in a few weeks’ time out in Las Vegas.
Santa Cruz (28-0-1, 16 KO’s) will be looking for fourth successful defenses of his title on Jan. 17, as he will be facing off with Jesus “Estrella” Ruiz (33-5-5, 22 KO’s) on the Showtime-televised “Return To Glory” undercard headlined by WBC heavyweight champion Bermane Stiverne vs. power-punching contender Deontay Wilder at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
“2015 is going to be a huge year for boxing and Golden Boy’s opening act in Las Vegas will get things started with a bang,” said Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya when referencing the Jan. 17 show.
For the 26-year old Santa Cruz, he feels the time is now for him to step up and face boxing’s best in 2015.
“I want to put on a great show on Jan. 17,” Santa Cruz continued. “And show boxing fans that I am a strong fighter ready to go to the next level and take on the top, tough fighters in the division: Guillermo Rigondeaux, Scott Quigg, Carl Frampton and Abner Mares.”
Chris Robinson can be reached at CRobinson@hustleboss.com