Santa Cruz vs Morel opens ‘Knockout Kings’ on Sept. 15th!

As the anticipation rises for the Saturday, Sept. 15 “Knockout Kings” event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Golden Boy Promotions is giving fight fans another reason to get excited with the addition of a third world title fight to the card, as Mexico native and unbeaten Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz defends his IBF Bantamweight World Championship against Puerto Rico’s former Two-Time World Champion Eric “Little Hands of Steel” Morel in a fight that is certain to write another chapter in boxing’s storied Mexico vs. Puerto Rico rivalry.

24-year-old Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz (20-0-1, 11 KO’s) joined the long line of boxing World Champions from Mexico on June 2, 2012, when he scored a near shutout 12 round unanimous decision win over Vusi Malinga to capture the IBF Bantamweight crown. It was the achievement of a goal Huetamo’s Santa Cruz set for himself when he turned professional in 2006 and after defeating the likes of Stephane Jamoye, Jose Lopez and Everth Briceno, he certainly earned his place at the top. Now he will make his first title defense against a man who knows what it’s like to be a world champion – Eric Morel.

“Knockout Kings,” headlined by Canelo Alvarez defending his WBC Super Welterweight World Championship against breakout star Josesito Lopez, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions and sponsored by Corona, DeWalt Tools and AT&T. In the co-featured attractions, WBC Featherweight World Champion Jhonny Gonzalez defends his crown against former World Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon in fight presented in association with Promociones Del Pueblo, former World Champion Marcos Maidana faces perennial contender Jesus Soto Karass in a fight presented in association with Universum Box-Promotion and Leo Santa Cruz defends his IBF Bantamweight World Championship against former Two-Time World Champion Eric Morel. The Saturday, Sept. 15 quadruple-header, packed with Mexican pride and power, will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will be televised live on SHOWTIME Saturday, Sept. 15 at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT with preliminary fights to air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Tickets priced at $400, $300, $150, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, are on sale now and available for purchase. Ticket sales are limited to 10 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.