CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif. - Undefeated WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion Leo "Terremoto" Santa Cruz (28-0-1, 16 KOs) of Los Angeles participated in a jam-packed open media workout Thursday at Who's Next Boxing Academy as he continues to prepare for his title defense against Mexico's Jesus "Estrella" Ruiz (33-5-5, 22 KOs) on Saturday, Jan. 17, live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Photos by Craig Bennett/Hoganphotos.
The 12-round, 122-pound world title fight will serve as the co-feature of a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader highlighted by the eagerly awaited heavy-duty showdown between WBC Heavyweight World Champion Bermane "B. Ware" Stiverne (24-1-1, 21 KOs), a Haitian native fighting out of Las Vegas, and unbeaten knockout specialist Deontay "The Bronze Bomber" Wilder (32-0, 32 KOs), of Tuscaloosa, Ala.
In the opening bout of the Jan. 17 telecast, promising world-ranked and undefeated super lightweight Amir "Young Master" Imam (15-0, 13 KOs), of Albany N.Y. will face hard-hitting Fidel "The Atrisco Kid" Maldonado Jr. (19-2, 16 KOs) of Albuquerque N.M., in a 10-round match.
Tickets for an event co-promoted by Don King Productions and Golden Boy Promotions are on sale and priced at $500, $350, $250, $125 and $50, not including applicable service charges and taxes. Tickets are limited to eight (8) per person with a limit of four (4) at the $50 price range. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.