WBA Super World featherweight champ Leo Santa Cruz intends to remain at 126 pounds and will vacate his WBC World super bantamweight title.

The 27-year-old Mexican (31-0-1, 17 KOs), who fights out of Rosemead, California, won the WBA title in his last fight, scoring a majority decision over Abner Mares in August. “El Terremoto” won the WBC belt in August 2013 by knocking out Victor Terrazas in the third, a title he’s successfully defended four times, most recently when he stopped Jesus Ruiz by eighth-round TKO in January. A pro since 2006, Santa Cruz is undefeated, though he did draw against Rodrigo Hernandez in his second fight in January 2007.

Santa Cruz is currently in China to attend the WBC’s annual convention. “I came to thank the World Council and Mauricio Sulaiman for giving me the opportunity to be WBC champion of the world and I ask that in the future I can again be given the opportunity to fight for one of its championships, as it is what every boxer dreams,” he told ESPN Desportes. But, the featherweight continued, “I intend now to stay at 126 pounds.”

Likely future opponents include fellow titleholders Lee Selby (IBF), Gary Russell Jr. (WBC), and Vasyl Lomachenko (WBO).

This article was penned by the author who is not related to the WBA and the statements, expressions or opinions referenced herein are that of the author alone and not the WBA.