Cuellar Hopes To Get Santa Cruz Before Planned 130 Move

By Elisinio Castillo

WBA 'regular' featherweight champion Jesus Cuellar (28-1, 21KOs) is hoping to finalize settle the score with Leo Santa Cruz, who holds the WBA 'super' title at 126-pounds.

Cuellar was not pleased when Santa Cruz, who was moving up for his first bout at 126, was allowed to compete for the WBA's "super" title. Santa Cruz captured the belt last August with a twelve round decision over Abner Mares. The belt became vacant after Nicholas Walters failed to make weight for a scheduled defense with Miguel Marriaga.

There has have been conversations about that fight between Cuellar's two advisers Al Haymon and Sebastian Contursi. Santa Cruz is also advised by Haymon.

"I think this year I am going to unify the crown with Mexican Leo Santa Cruz, the super champion of the WBA at featherweight. My advisor Sebastian Contursi told me that there are negotiations for the fight to be made in the month of May," Cuellar told Fox Deportes.

Santa Cruz appears to be heading into a title defense against former champion Kiko Martinez on February 20th.

The WBA has already ruled that Santa Cruz will be allowed one more voluntary before being required to make a mandatory defense against Cuellar.

Cuellar plans to move up in weight following a fight with Santa Cruz. He's big for the weight and it's getting tougher to make the division limit with each passing fight.

"Yes, I have decided that my last fight in featherweight will be in May and then I'll go up to 130 pounds. It's already costing me a lot to make 126 pounds and that requirement costs me in the final stages leading up to the fight. With four more pounds I'll feel much more comfortable and powerful. I'm interested in winning belts in various divisions and going down in history for what I do in the ring," Cuellar said.