Boxing: Ceja, Ruiz to Meet in World Title Rematch on Showtime

Showtime announced Wednesday afternoon a world championship rematch between Julio Ceja and Hugo Ruiz, set to serve as the co-feature to the Leo Santa Cruz versus Kiko Martinez headliner. The event will take place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., on Feb. 27.

Ceja will put his WBC junior featherweight title on the line in a rematch of one of 2015’s best slugfests. Ceja (30-1, 27 KOs) was dropped in the third when the two squared off in August, but the Mexican bomber was able to pick himself up and slug away in return. Ceja eventually took control of the battle and dropped Ruiz in the fifth, eventually stopping his foe in that same frame.

“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.”

Ruiz (35-3, 31 KOs) had won four in a row after losing a bid for the WBA bantamweight title to Koki Kameda in 2012. He knows he let a possible victory slip through his fingers when he first locked horns with Ceja and he vows to not let it happen again.

“I’m excited for the immediate rematch with Julio Ceja,” said Ruiz, also from Mexico. “I know that I had him badly hurt during our first fight and that I will be victorious on Feb. 27. I’d like to thank everyone involved for this great opportunity to avenge my loss.”

The Showtime Championship Boxing doubleheader will be televised live beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. A full undercard will be announced shortly.