“Terremeto” Santa Cruz excited to return to the Ring

4-division world champion Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz will face Keenan “Bedo” Carbajal in a 10-round super featherweight bout on Saturday, February 5, at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

The fight is hosted by Premier Boxing Champions and will be televised on FOX Sports PBC PPV.

The PPV broadcast begins with former two-division champion Luis “Pantera” Nery battling undefeated Carlos Castro in a 10-round super bantamweight matchup.

Hugely popular, Santa Cruz (37-2-1, 19 KOs) has established himself as one of the best Mexican boxers of his generation.

The 33-year-old Santa Cruz, who was born in Michoacán, Mexico, cemented his legacy with 118, 122, 126 and 130-pound world championships.

He is coming off a loss to Gervonta Davis in a lightweight and super featherweight world title fight on October 31, 2020.

Before that, the only other blemish on his record was a majority decision loss to Carl Frampton in 2016, which he was able to avenge in the 2017 rematch.

“I’m excited to be back after a year out of the ring,” Santa Cruz said.

“I’m looking forward to giving the fans a great fight on February 5 in Las Vegas and I hope everyone enjoys my fight and a great night of boxing.”

His opponent Carbajal, 30 (23-2-1, 15 KOs) is the nephew of five-time world champion, Olympic silver medalist and Hall of Famer Michael Carbajal.

But Carbajal is making a name for himself in boxing and is looking for a world championship of his own. A victory over Santa Cruz will go a long way toward carving out his own niche in the boxing world.

Carbajal thrilled the hometown crowd at Footprint Center with an impressive TKO victory over Josean Figueroa-Bonilla in his most recent fight on November 13.

“This is my introduction to the world and, like the Phoenix, I will rise to the occasion,” Carbajal said.

“I am preparing to give my best and give everything I have against a great champion in Leo Santa Cruz.”