Leo Santa Cruz and Jermell Charlo defend world titles on two live bills from America this weekend

Leo Santa Cruz and Jermell Charlo defend world titles as we bring you live action from two packed American bills in the early hours of Sunday morning.

WBC super-welterweight champion Charlo faces Erickson Lubin in one of three world title fights at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, then we switch to California to see Leo Santa Cruz defend his WBA 'super' featherweight belt against Chris Avalos, with potential opponent Abner Mares also appearing on the same bill in Carson.

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Jermell Charlo vs Erickson Lubin

Image: Jermell Charlo (left) faces Erickson Lubin this weekend

Charlo, whose twin Jermall previously held the IBF belt in the same weight division, will make his second WBC title defence against the dangerous Lubin.

The 21-year-old challenger was mentored by Mike Tyson and has stopped 13 of his 18 opponents on his destructive route to a world title shot.

But Charlo has also done nothing wrong in his perfect 29-fight professional career and ruthlessly stopped Charles Hartley in his last fight.

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Erislandy Lara vs Terrell Gausha

Image: Erislandy Lara make fifth defence of title against Terrell Gausha

Lara puts his WBA 'super' title at stake against American Terrell Gausha, a 2012 Olympian with a 20-bout unbeaten record.

Gausha marked his opening fight in London with a dramatic knockout win, although he would later endure a controversial loss to India's Vijender Singh.

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The Cuban champion has not suffered defeat since a split decision loss to Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez in 2014 and will be seeking a fifth successful title defence.

Jarrett Hurd vs Austin Trout

Image: New IBF champion Jarrett Hurd takes on Austin Trout

Hurd, who is the third super-welterweight champion on the New York bill, claimed the IBF belt which was vacated by Jermall Charlo following a ninth-round stoppage of Tony Harrison.

In Trout, he is facing an experienced former world champion who holds a win over Miguel Cotto, and extended Alvarez during a points loss in 2013.

Hurd has stopped his last six opponents and will want to send out a warning to his fellow champions with another explosive victory.

Leo Santa Cruz vs Chris Avalos

Leo Santa Cruz avenged his loss to Carl Frampton with a points win in January

Santa Cruz regained his WBA belt with a majority decision win over Carl Frampton in January and takes on Avalos, a former opponent of the Belfast man.

The three-weight world champion is being targeted by all the top names in his division, although a rematch with Mares could be the preferred option for Santa Cruz, who won their 2015 fight by majority decision.

Image: Tale of the Tape - Leo Santa Cruz v Chris Avalos

Avalos will be eager to disrupt the Californian's future plans and he climbed off the canvas to stop Mexican prospect Miguel Flores in his last fight.

Abner Mares vs Andres Gutierrez

Image: Abner Mares (right) is targeting a rematch with Santa Cruz

Mares needs to impress earlier in the evening to set up a second fight with Santa Cruz, but is facing a testing fight against fellow Mexican Gutierrez.

In his sole fight since the Santa Cruz setback, Mares claimed the WBA 'regular' title with a split decision win over Jesus Andres Cuellar, and will be ending a 10-month lay-off.

Gutierrez has stepped up from featherweight, but his only loss came against former world champion Cristian Mijares and he demonstrated his punch power with 25 knockouts in 35 wins.

Watch five world-title fights, including Leo Santa Cruz, Jermell Charlo and Abner Mares, live from America, from 12.30am, Sunday morning, on Sky Sports Main Event.

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