Los Angeles, CA - Opening the Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN telecast Julio Ceja, (30-1, 27 KOs), of Tianepantia, Mexico won with a sensational fifth round stoppage of Hugo Ruiz, (35-2, 30 KOs) of Los Mochis, Mexico. Ceja suffered a third round knockdown but came back to floor Ruiz in round five and earned the victory after swarming the staggered Ruiz. Time of the stoppage was 2:34.
"I was well prepared, but I was surprised I got dropped. I felt mentally and physically good after that and I knew I was going to come back. At first it was difficult because Ruiz was moving too much, however I knew I was going to win," Ceja said. "I hope Leo Santa Cruz goes back up to super bantamweight so I can fight him next."
In the main event, a battle of Southern California featherweights saw Leo "El Terremoto" Santa Cruz, (31-0-1, 17 KOs) defeat Abner Mares, (29-2-1, 15 KOs) by majority decision in a fight reminiscent of Mexican wars between boxing legends Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales on Saturday night. Scores tallied 117-111 twice and 114-114 in front of a raucous crowd of 13,109 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles for the Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN main event.