Alexis “Beaver” Santiago (20-3-1, 8 KOs) goes for his tenth straight win when he takes on California’s Erik Ruiz (15-4, 6 KOs) in the 10-round bantamweight main event of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) Toe to Toe Tuesdays February 16 from Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas.
Televised coverage begins at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT and features two more exciting matchups as light heavyweight Lionell “The Great” Thompson (16-3, 10 KOs) battles Paul Parker (7-1, 4 KOs) in an eight-round affair and hard-hitting Lanell “KO” Bellows (14-1-1, 7 KOs) faces Antowyan “Iceman” Aikens (10-0-1, 1 KO) in an eight-round super middleweight contest.
“I’m real excited about this fight and to be headlining on FS1 and FOX Deportes,” said Santiago. “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 on February 16.”
“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.”
“We’re very happy to be able to showcase some of Mayweather Promotions’ rising stars on FS1 and FOX Deportes, and we look forward to continuing to put on shows here in Las Vegas,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “It’s going to be a great night of fights at Sam’s Town Live and a perfect way kick off 2016 for Mayweather Promotions.”
A pro since 2009, the 25-year-old Santiago is unbeaten in his last nine bouts and is coming off of a victory over Gustavo Molina in October 2015. The Phoenix-native also defeated Javier Gallo and Antonio Tostado Garcia in 2015 and has not taken a loss since 2012. His most impressive triumphs came over once-beaten fighters Alex Rangel and Hanzel Martinez, both of whom he beat in 10-round bouts.
Fighting out of Oxnard, California, Ruiz has fought professionally since 2011 and won the first nine bouts of his career. The 24-year-old is coming off of a November 2015 victory over previously unbeaten Roy Tapia in a hard fought fight that also took place in Las Vegas.
A five-time New York State Golden Gloves Champion representing Buffalo, Thompson comes in off of a stoppage victory over Thomas Hanshaw in October 2015. The 30-year-old also owns wins over previously unbeaten Yathomas Riley and once-beaten Ryan Coyne.
Representing Toledo, Ohio, Parker won the first seven pro fights of his career and looks to collect another victory on February 16. The 30-year-old has picked up stoppage wins over previously unbeaten Dwayne Williams and Brian Holstein.
Originally from Los Angeles but fighting and training out of Las Vegas, Bellows enters this fight on an eight-bout winning streak. The 30-year-old will look to continue to keep the momentum going as he builds on to his four wins from 2015 and earn world title contender status in 2016.
Unbeaten and fighting out of Atlantic City, New Jersey, Aikens is looking to get a big win to start 2016. The 26-year-old closed out his 2014 with a win over previously unbeaten Sherman Artis Jr. before defeating Edgar Perez in 2015.
