Boxing: Santiago vs. Ruiz Headlines Feb. 16 PBC on FS1 Card

Premier Boxing Champions on Tuesday announced that Alexis Santiago will meet Erik Ruiz in a 10-round bantamweight showdown in the main event of the next PBC on FS1 “Toe-to-Toe Tuesdays” card. The event will be held at Sam’s Town in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Feb. 16.

Santiago (20-3-1, 8 KOs) will look to win his 10th consecutive battle and inch closer to a world title shot. The Phoenix fighter is coming off a dominant eight-round unanimous decision win over Gustavo Molina in October.

“I’m real excited about this fight and to be headlining on FS1 and Fox Deportes,” stated Santiago in a release. “My opponent is a very solid fighter that I look forward to battling. I can go in there and box but I love to get in the middle of the ring and exchange if I have to. I’m sure it’s going to be a war.”

Standing in his way is Ruiz (15-4, 6 KOs), who is coming off a split decision win over Roy Tapia in November. Ruiz, however, is only 2-3 in his last five fights and desperately needs a win to stay afloat.

“This is a great opportunity for me and I’m going to take full advantage,” said Ruiz. “I am going to be aggressive and not let my opponent get comfortable for one second. I'm coming for a knockout, so I hope he doesn't underestimate me.”

Also set for the televised portion of the card is a light heavyweight eight-round encounter between Lionell Thompson (16-3, 10 KOs) and Paul parker (7-1, 4 KOs) and a super middleweight eight-rounder between Lanell Bellows (14-1-1, 7 KOs) and Antowyan Aikens (10-0-1, 1 KO).

The card will be televised live on FS1 and Fox Deportes starting at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.