By Jake Donovan

Hugo Cazares could easily wait out the December 14 showdown between 122 lb. titlist Leo Santa Cruz and challenger Cesar Seda. Instead, the former two-division champ risks a guaranteed crack at the winner by sending a message to both participants with his own ring appearance one week prior.

His next fight is no walk in the park, as Cazares is signed on to face former 115 lb. titlist Julio Cesar ‘Pingo’ Miranda. The bout will take place on December 7 at a location to be determined in Mexico, with Televisa to air live.

“This isn’t an easy fight for Hugo, who wants to validate his status as the top contender,” states Oswaldo Kuchle of Promociones del Pueblo, who will promote the event. “He’s ready to demonstrate his place in the (122 lb.) division, against a former world champion looking to revive his career and reclaim championship status.”

Cazares (39-7-2, 27KO) has won four straight since losing his 115 lb. title in heartbreaking fashion more than two years ago. The December 7 affair will mark his first piece of ring action for the 35-year old–also a former lineal 108 lb. champion–since June, when he stopped Gabriel Altarejos in one round.

Miranda (37-9-2, 29KO) has had a rough go of things as of late. The former flyweight titlist is winless in his past four starts, though hardly from lack of trying.

His past two fights – a controversial split decision loss to Hugo Ruiz in September, and a 12-round draw with Juan Jose Montes – could have easily landed in his favor. Nevertheless, the 33-year old hasn’t seen his arm raised in victory since a pair of wins in 2011, which were preceded by a title-losing effort to Brian Viloria on the road in Hawaii.

The bout with Cazares will mark his debut in the 122 lb. division, just one fight removed from his lone fight at bantamweight. The loss to Ruiz came after having previously campaigned in the flyweight and super flyweight divisions.

A win by Cazares should land him at a crack at the winner of the aformentioned showdown between Santa Cruz and Seda–which airs live on Showtime–sometime in the first quarter of 2014.

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of krikya360.com, as well as a member of Transnational Boxing Ratings Board, Yahoo Boxing Ratings Panel and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox