Alexis Rocha vs. Giovani Santillan: Date, time, how to watch, background

Alexis Rocha vs. Giovani Santillan: Date, time, how to watch, background.

Welterweight contender Alexis Rocha is scheduled to face Giovani Santillan in his toughest test Saturday in California.

ALEXIS ROCHA (23-1, 15 KOs) VS.
GIOVANI SANTILLAN (31-0, 16 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Oct. 21
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Kia Forum, Inglewood, California
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Welterweight (147 pounds)
  • At stake: No major title
  • Odds: Rocha 4½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Also on the card: John Ramirez vs. Ronal Batista, junior bantamweights; Joseph Diaz vs. Richard Medina, lightweights; Arely Mucino vs. Gabriela Fundora, flyweights (for Mucino’s IBF title); Ricardo Sandoval vs. Victor Sandoval, flyweights
  • Prediction: Rocha UD
  • Background: Rocha is closing in on his first title shot but must get past the unbeaten Santillan first. The 26-year-old from the Los Angeles area, ranked No. 1 by the WBO, has won seven consecutive fights since slick Rashidi Ellis defeated him by a unanimous decision in October 2020. He’s coming off a fifth-round knockout of solid Anthony Young on May 27. Santillan could be Rocha’s toughest test yet. The 31-year-old from San Diego last fought on July 22, when he defeated capable Erick Bone by a clear unanimous decision. This matchup also is a step up in opposition for Santillan. Terence Crawford holds all four major 147-pound titles.

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