Eduardo “Rocky” Hernandez Signs Co-Promotional Deal with Golden Boy Promotions

Eduardo “Rocky” Hernandezhas a new deal…

The 21-year-old Mexican junior lightweight boxer, one of Mexico’s most highly touted up-and-coming boxers, has signed a co-promotional agreement with Golden Boy Promotions, according to CEO Oscar De La Hoya.

Eduardo "Rocky" Hernandez

Hernandez, who is also co-promoted by Promociones del Pueblo, one of Mexico’s leading promoters, will make his United States debut in his first fight of the deal. 

He’ll face Ibrahim Class in a 10-round fight on March 30 on the undercard of the Ryan GarciaJose Lopez lightweight bout at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California.

De La Hoya and Oswaldo Kuchleof Promociones del Pueblo have worked together over the years, and they both hope the partnership will help launch Hernandez (27-0, 24 KOs), 21, to stardom.

“At Golden Boy, we are in the business of working with fighters from all over the world and making them into international stars,” De La Hoya said, listing an impressive roster of fighters that Golden Boy helped build into well-known names, including Deontay WilderAdrien BronerDaniel JacobsMarcos MaidanaAbner Maresand Jermell and Jermall Charlo.

“We’re doing it presently with the biggest star in the sport, Canelo Alvarez, along with world champions such as Jaime Munguia, Rey VargasXu CanAngel Acosta and Andrew Cancio; and we have the next generation of stars with Ryan Garcia, Vergil Ortiz, and Lamont Roach Jr.

“This company knows how to work with fighters from all kinds of backgrounds,” De La Hoya continued, “so we’re more than ready to join forces with Oswaldo Kuchle and Promociones del Pueblo to co-promote Rocky Hernandez as he begins to make big waves in the stacked 130-pound division.”

Hernandez turned pro at age 16 in February 2014.

“I’m very delighted to be presented to fans in the United States,” Hernandez said. “I am preparing very hard to give a great fight to the fans on March 30, and God willing, I will walk away with my hand raised. I have a tough opponent in front of me, but I am training very hard.”Class (22-5, 10 KOs), 28, of Tanzania, also will be fighting in the U.S. for the first time.

Santa Cruz to Defend His WBC Super Bantamweight Title Against Jesus Ruiz

Leo Santa Cruz is ready to repeat-peat-peat-peat…

The 26-year-old Mexican boxer, the reigning WBC Super Bantamweight champion, will be making his fourth title defense against Jesus Ruiz later this month, according to Golden Boy Promotions.

Leo Santa Cruz

The fight will take place on January 17 (Showtime, 10:00 pm ET) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Santa Cruz, who won the IBF Bantamweight title in 2012 and defended it three times before vacating it to move up in weight, where he claimed another title, will be facing his second low-level opponent in a row. But he’s hoping to move on to bigger bouts after disposing of Ruiz.

“I feel great about my upcoming fight with Ruiz. He is a strong fighter, undefeated in the past two years and the kind of opponent I want to fight,” Santa Cruz said. “I want to put on a great show on January 17 and show boxing fans that I am a strong fighter ready to go to the next level and take on the top, tough fighters in the division: [unified champion] Guillermo Rigondeaux, [titleholder] Scott Quigg, [titleholder] Carl Frampton and [former titleholder] Abner Mares.”

Santa Cruz (28-0-1, 16 KOs), 26, who lives in Los Angeles, is coming off a one-sided, second-round blowout of journeyman Manuel Roman, his former sparring partner, in September.

Ruiz (33-5-5, 22 KOs), 25, also from Mexico, has won five fights in a row, but all against lesser opposition.

“I know many believe I have no chance, but I am well prepared and ready to give my all,” Ruiz said. “I am ready for war and ready to leave it all in the ring like a true Mexican warrior.”

Santa Cruz Wins WBC World Super Bantamweight Championship

Leo Santa Cruz has earned his next boxing title…

The 25-year-old Mexican professional boxer stopped Victor Terrazas in the third round on Saturday night to win the WBC World Super Bantamweight Championship at the StubHub Center south of Hollywood.

Leo Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz (25-0-1, 15 KOs), the former IBF 118-pound champion picked up another impressive victory with a swift stoppage of Terrazas.

After controlling the first two rounds, Santa Cruz knocked his opponent down twice in the third round with a left hook and a big right hand. Terrazas got up both times, but referee Lou Moret stepped in with 51 seconds left in the third.

Terrazas (37-3-1), whose face was swollen after the first two rounds, won the vacant WBC title with a split decision over Cristian Mijares in April.

Santa Cruz has knocked out four of his last five opponents. He could be the next opponent for Abner Mares.

González Reclaims WBC Featherweight Championship in Stunning Form

Jhonny González is back on top…

The 31-year-old Mexican professional boxer stopped Abner Mares late in the first round on Saturday night to reclaim the WBC Featherweight Championship in dramatic fashion.

Jhonny González

González (55-8, 47 KOs) dropped the previously unbeaten Mares twice late in the first round, flattening the 126-pound belt-holder with a left hook. Mares appeared to be hurt when he got back up, and González knocked him down again with a combination along the ropes.

Referee Jack Reiss stopped the fight with 5 seconds left in the first round.

González, known for his impressive knockout power, also has been stopped three times in his up-and-down career.

Gonzalez held the WBC title for nearly 18 months before losing it to Daniel Ponce De Leon in a technical decision last September, and he was knocked down during one of his two previous victories this year.

Mares (26-1-1) held titles at 118 and 122 pounds before claiming the featherweight belt last May, stopping Ponce De Leon for his third world title belt. The popular Los Angeles-area fighter had sizable crowd support, but González silenced his fans with two dramatic knockdowns.