Mexican warriors Julio Ceja and Hugo Ruiz will compete in a rematch of their exciting 2015 super bantamweight world title fight on Saturday, February 27, live on SHOWTIME® from Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will be headlined by undefeated three-division world champion Leo "El Terremoto" Santa Cruz, who'll be making the first defense of his Featherweight World Championship against former world champion Kiko Martinez.
"I'm very happy to fight again in Southern California on such a fantastic card," said Ceja. "In the first fight with Hugo Ruiz we had a sensational battle which ended with me coming out victorious and I'm very confident that I will win again. I look forward to putting on another great show on February 27."
"I'm excited for the immediate rematch with Julio Ceja," said Ruiz. "I know that I had him badly hurt during our first fight and that I will be victorious on February 27. I'd like to thank everyone involved for this great opportunity to avenge my loss."
Ceja (30-1, 27 KOs) and Ruiz (35-3, 31 KOs) met on August 29, 2015, in Los Angeles, with Ceja winning the WBC 122-pound world title via a fifth-round stoppage in a wild back-and-forth brawl. Ruiz struck the first big blow in round three when he connected with a sharp left hand that floored Ceja. The fireworks continued into round five when Ceja unloaded a powerful left hook that put Ruiz on the mat. Ceja saw his opening and used a flurry of punches to close the show and take home the world title.
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.
The 23-year-old Ceja has won six fights in a row and is looking to prove that his victory over Ruiz was no fluke. The native of Atizapan de Zaragoza, Mexico will be fighting in the U.S. for the second time since turning pro in 2009 at just 16 years old. The power-puncher owns victories over experienced veterans Henry Maldonado, Jesus Acosta, Alejandro Morales and Genaro Camargo.
A 29-year-old fighting out of Sinaloa Mexico, Ruiz entered the first fight against Ceja on a four-fight win streak and as winner of 26 of his last 27 fights. He's defeated the likes of Jean Sampson, Yonfrez Parejo and Francisco Arce throughout a pro career that began in 2006. His bout with Ceja was his U.S. debut and his exciting style has earned him another shot at the world title.
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