Jhack Tepora will fulfill the first defense of his interim featherweight championship of the World Boxing Association (WBA) against Hugo Ruiz this Saturday, January 18th. The Filipino will defend his belt against the Mexican native in the middle of the event to be held at the MGM Grand Las Vegas that will feature Manny Pacquiao defending his WBA welterweight title against Adrien Broner in the main event.

Tepora will seek to continue his fast rising star while facing an experienced veteran in Ruiz. The Filipino won his crown on July 15th when he defeated Edivaldo Ortega in 9 rounds to earn himself the interim belt of the WBA at 126 pounds.

For his part, Ruiz will seek to conquer a new belt of the WBA against a younger rival. Ruiz has already been a champion of the organization in the past at in bantamweight, a title he defended four times successfully.

Tepora has a record of 22 wins without defeat and 17 knockouts, while Ruiz has a record of 38 wins, 4 losses and 33 knockouts.