Tag: Alexis Rocha

Giovani Santillan batters, knocks out Alexis Rocha in six rounds

Unbeaten Giovani Santillan battered and knocked out fellow 147-pound contender Alexis Rocha in six rounds Saturday in Inglewood, California.

Giovani Santillan turned out to be the welterweight to watch.

The unbeaten San Diegan put fellow contender Alexis Rocha down three times and stopped him in the sixth round of a scheduled 12-rounder Saturday in Inglewood, California, not far from Rocha’s hometown of Irvine.

Rocha (23-2, 15 KOs) entered the fight as the WBO’s mandatory challenger to champion Terence Crawford.

However, it was Santillan (ranked No. 5 by the same sanctioning body) who performed like a fighter capable of challenging anyone in the division.

Santillan (32-0, 17 KOs) simply overpowered his opponent, putting him down twice in Round 5 and again the final round.

The final knockdown was the result of a series of brutal, unanswered blows which forced Rocha to his knees and prompted referee Ray Corona to stop the fight. The official time of the stoppage was 1:13.

Santillan was leadong on all three cards after five rounds, 50-43, 49-44 and 48-45.

The winner called out all the top 147-pounders during his post-fight interview.

“I feel good,” Santillan said. “It was the outcome we were looking for. You never know how these types of fights will go. Alexis is a great fighter, and he’s tough. He got up twice and he’s never been stopped before.

“It’s different with all these people here and when you’re the ‘B’ side. He brought all his fans and his supporters, which makes boxing a great sport. 2024 is going to be a great year for me now with this performance.”

There wasn’t much Rocha could say afterward.

“I am sorry to all my fans,” he said. “I will be back.”

Giovani Santillan batters, knocks out Alexis Rocha in six rounds

Unbeaten Giovani Santillan battered and knocked out fellow 147-pound contender Alexis Rocha in six rounds Saturday in Inglewood, California.

Giovani Santillan turned out to be the welterweight to watch.

The unbeaten San Diegan put fellow contender Alexis Rocha down three times and stopped him in the sixth round of a scheduled 12-rounder Saturday in Inglewood, California, not far from Rocha’s hometown of Irvine.

Rocha (23-2, 15 KOs) entered the fight as the WBO’s mandatory challenger to champion Terence Crawford.

However, it was Santillan (ranked No. 5 by the same sanctioning body) who performed like a fighter capable of challenging anyone in the division.

Santillan (32-0, 17 KOs) simply overpowered his opponent, putting him down twice in Round 5 and again the final round.

The final knockdown was the result of a series of brutal, unanswered blows which forced Rocha to his knees and prompted referee Ray Corona to stop the fight. The official time of the stoppage was 1:13.

Santillan was leadong on all three cards after five rounds, 50-43, 49-44 and 48-45.

The winner called out all the top 147-pounders during his post-fight interview.

“I feel good,” Santillan said. “It was the outcome we were looking for. You never know how these types of fights will go. Alexis is a great fighter, and he’s tough. He got up twice and he’s never been stopped before.

“It’s different with all these people here and when you’re the ‘B’ side. He brought all his fans and his supporters, which makes boxing a great sport. 2024 is going to be a great year for me now with this performance.”

There wasn’t much Rocha could say afterward.

“I am sorry to all my fans,” he said. “I will be back.”

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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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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Alexis Rocha plans to maintain his momentum against Giovani Santillan

Alexis Rocha plans to maintain his momentum against Giovani Santillan on Saturday in Inglewood, California.

Alexis Rocha’s worst day as a professional came in October 2020.

That was when slick, experienced Rashidi Ellis outboxed Rocha to win a clear unanimous decision in a 12-round bout, Rocha’s first loss. The setback was painful but he used it to become a better fighter.

The 26-year-old welterweight contender has won seven consecutive fights since and is nearing his first shot at a major world title.

He is scheduled to face unbeaten Giovani Santillan this Saturday at Kia Forum in Inglewood, California (DAZN).

“No one likes to talk about losing,” Rocha told Boxing Junkie. “I feel like if you lose, there’s a lot to improve on. And I feel I’ve improved in so many aspects, more the mental side. It helped develop me into the fighter I am today.

“I feel it was a blessing even thought I hate losing. It helps me a lot.”

Rocha (23-1, 15 KOs) delivered arguably his best performance on May 27, a fifth-round knockout of capable Anthony Young in Indio, California, about a two-hour drive from his home in Irvine.

Still, he said he has yet to peak in terms of his development. He suggested we’d see an even better version of himself against Santillan, who might be his toughest opponent to date on paper.

The 31-year-old from San Diego is a well-schooled technician, although he also will be facing his biggest challenge against Rocha.

“I feel I haven’t shown 80 percent of my potential,” he said. “… I feel I’m still learning a lot. And come fight time I’ll show what I’m talking about. You’ll see the improvements.

“This is definitely a tough fight, not a walk in the park, 100 percent. I’ll be ready, though.”

If things go well, Rocha’s big opportunity could be within his grasp.

He’s ranked No. 1 by the WBO, making him first in line in that sanctioning body to face undisputed champion and pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford.

Of course, Rocha doesn’t know what Crawford’s plans are. The titleholder could give up his belts and move to 154 pounds, where he could challenge Jermell Charlo. Crawford also has expressed interest in facing 168-pound champ Canelo Alvarez.

Rocha hopes the Mexican star stays at 147 long enough to face him, although he certainly understands the magnitude of that challenge.

“You always want to fight the top guy,” he said. “They have a bounty on their back. You try to go out and get whoever the king is. And Terence Crawford is the king right now, pretty much the face of boxing.

“He gets to do what he wants. Go to 154, fight Canelo. Then he could get stripped of his belts. That would open the door for someone like me to fight for one of the titles.”

And if he should share a ring with Crawford?

“You have to be mentally strong, be at your best every single second of every single round to beat Crawford,” he said. “It would take a lot. His ring IQ is very high. To beat Crawford you couldn’t make any mistakes.

“I’m in the sport to be one of the best. And to be the best, you have to fight the best.”

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Alexis Rocha plans to maintain his momentum against Giovani Santillan

Alexis Rocha plans to maintain his momentum against Giovani Santillan on Saturday in Inglewood, California.

Alexis Rocha’s worst day as a professional came in October 2020.

That was when slick, experienced Rashidi Ellis outboxed Rocha to win a clear unanimous decision in a 12-round bout, Rocha’s first loss. The setback was painful but he used it to become a better fighter.

The 26-year-old welterweight contender has won seven consecutive fights since and is nearing his first shot at a major world title.

He is scheduled to face unbeaten Giovani Santillan this Saturday at Kia Forum in Inglewood, California (DAZN).

“No one likes to talk about losing,” Rocha told Boxing Junkie. “I feel like if you lose, there’s a lot to improve on. And I feel I’ve improved in so many aspects, more the mental side. It helped develop me into the fighter I am today.

“I feel it was a blessing even thought I hate losing. It helps me a lot.”

Rocha (23-1, 15 KOs) delivered arguably his best performance on May 27, a fifth-round knockout of capable Anthony Young in Indio, California, about a two-hour drive from his home in Irvine.

Still, he said he has yet to peak in terms of his development. He suggested we’d see an even better version of himself against Santillan, who might be his toughest opponent to date on paper.

The 31-year-old from San Diego is a well-schooled technician, although he also will be facing his biggest challenge against Rocha.

“I feel I haven’t shown 80 percent of my potential,” he said. “… I feel I’m still learning a lot. And come fight time I’ll show what I’m talking about. You’ll see the improvements.

“This is definitely a tough fight, not a walk in the park, 100 percent. I’ll be ready, though.”

If things go well, Rocha’s big opportunity could be within his grasp.

He’s ranked No. 1 by the WBO, making him first in line in that sanctioning body to face undisputed champion and pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford.

Of course, Rocha doesn’t know what Crawford’s plans are. The titleholder could give up his belts and move to 154 pounds, where he could challenge Jermell Charlo. Crawford also has expressed interest in facing 168-pound champ Canelo Alvarez.

Rocha hopes the Mexican star stays at 147 long enough to face him, although he certainly understands the magnitude of that challenge.

“You always want to fight the top guy,” he said. “They have a bounty on their back. You try to go out and get whoever the king is. And Terence Crawford is the king right now, pretty much the face of boxing.

“He gets to do what he wants. Go to 154, fight Canelo. Then he could get stripped of his belts. That would open the door for someone like me to fight for one of the titles.”

And if he should share a ring with Crawford?

“You have to be mentally strong, be at your best every single second of every single round to beat Crawford,” he said. “It would take a lot. His ring IQ is very high. To beat Crawford you couldn’t make any mistakes.

“I’m in the sport to be one of the best. And to be the best, you have to fight the best.”

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Fight Week: Alexis Rocha to face Giovani Santillan; Jack Catterall also in action

Fight Week: 147-pound contender Alexis Rocha will face Giovani Santillan and Jack Catterall will return to action on a busy weekend.

FIGHT WEEK

Welterweight contender Alexis Rocha is scheduled to face Giovani Santillan in his toughest test in California. Meanwhile, in England, 140-pound contender Jack Catterall will return against Jorge Linares.

JACK CATTERALL (27-1, 13 KOs)
VS. JORGE LINARES (47-8, 29 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Oct. 21
  • Time: 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Echo Arena, Liverpool
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Junior welterweight (140 pounds)
  • At stake: No major title
  • Odds: Catterall 6½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Also on the card: Peter McGrail vs. Fran Mendoza, junior featherweights; Shabaz Masoud vs. Jose Sanmartin, junior featherweights; Aqib Fiaz vs. Reece Bellotti, junior lightweights
  • Prediction: Catterall UD
  • Background: Catterall took his biggest step forward in a disputed split-decision loss to then-titleholder Josh Taylor in February of last year, after which a proposed rematch failed to materialize. He ended up putting Darragh Foley down twice and easily outpointing him on May 27, his most recent fight. The 30-year-old from Northern England is ranked in the Top 7 by all four major sanctioning bodies, which means another title shot is a realistic possibility if he continues to win. Linares, 38, is a former three-division world titleholder trying to remain relevant after three consecutive losses. He was competitive against 135-pound beltholder Devin Haney in May 2021 but was stopped by Zaur Abdullaev in a fight he was winning early last year and outpointed by Zhora Hamazaryan in December.

 

JOSHUA BUATSI (17-0, 13 KOs)
VS. DAN AZEEZ (20-0, 13 KOs)

Joshua Buatsi (right) will face friend Dan Azeez on Saturday.  Matthew Lewis / Getty Images
  • Date: Saturday, Oct. 21
  • Time: 3 p.m. ET / noon PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: O2 Arena, London
  • TV/Stream: Peacock
  • Division: Light heavyweight (175 pounds)
  • At stake: No major title
  • Odds: Buatsi 3-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Also on the card: Mikael Lawal vs. Isaac Chamberlain, cruiserweights; Louis Greene vs. Sam Gilley, junior middleweights; Michael Hennessy vs. Harley Benn, junior middleweights
  • Prediction: Buatsi KO 9
  • Background: The winner of this fight reportedly will be the mandatory challenger to Dmitry Bivol’s WBA title. Buatsi, 30, is a talented 2016 Olympic bronze medalist who has remained perfect as a professional but has yet to face an elite opponent. The Ghana-born Londoner is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Pawel Stepien on May 6. Azeez is a friend and former stablemate of Buatsi. The 34-year-old from London also has built his record against second-tier opponents. He last fought on July 15, when he outpointed journeyman Khalid Graidia in an eight-rounder.

 

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.

 

ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK

WEDNESDAY

  • Brandon Glanton vs. Carlos Fromenta Romero, cruiserweights, Plant City, Florida (ProBox TV)

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Fight Week: Alexis Rocha to face Giovani Santillan; Jack Catterall also in action

Fight Week: 147-pound contender Alexis Rocha will face Giovani Santillan and Jack Catterall will return to action on a busy weekend.

FIGHT WEEK

Welterweight contender Alexis Rocha is scheduled to face Giovani Santillan in his toughest test in California. Meanwhile, in England, 140-pound contender Jack Catterall will return against Jorge Linares.

JACK CATTERALL (27-1, 13 KOs)
VS. JORGE LINARES (47-8, 29 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Oct. 21
  • Time: 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Echo Arena, Liverpool
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Junior welterweight (140 pounds)
  • At stake: No major title
  • Odds: Catterall 6½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Also on the card: Peter McGrail vs. Fran Mendoza, junior featherweights; Shabaz Masoud vs. Jose Sanmartin, junior featherweights; Aqib Fiaz vs. Reece Bellotti, junior lightweights
  • Prediction: Catterall UD
  • Background: Catterall took his biggest step forward in a disputed split-decision loss to then-titleholder Josh Taylor in February of last year, after which a proposed rematch failed to materialize. He ended up putting Darragh Foley down twice and easily outpointing him on May 27, his most recent fight. The 30-year-old from Northern England is ranked in the Top 7 by all four major sanctioning bodies, which means another title shot is a realistic possibility if he continues to win. Linares, 38, is a former three-division world titleholder trying to remain relevant after three consecutive losses. He was competitive against 135-pound beltholder Devin Haney in May 2021 but was stopped by Zaur Abdullaev in a fight he was winning early last year and outpointed by Zhora Hamazaryan in December.

 

JOSHUA BUATSI (17-0, 13 KOs)
VS. DAN AZEEZ (20-0, 13 KOs)

Joshua Buatsi (right) will face friend Dan Azeez on Saturday.  Matthew Lewis / Getty Images
  • Date: Saturday, Oct. 21
  • Time: 3 p.m. ET / noon PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: O2 Arena, London
  • TV/Stream: Peacock
  • Division: Light heavyweight (175 pounds)
  • At stake: No major title
  • Odds: Buatsi 3-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Also on the card: Mikael Lawal vs. Isaac Chamberlain, cruiserweights; Louis Greene vs. Sam Gilley, junior middleweights; Michael Hennessy vs. Harley Benn, junior middleweights
  • Prediction: Buatsi KO 9
  • Background: The winner of this fight reportedly will be the mandatory challenger to Dmitry Bivol’s WBA title. Buatsi, 30, is a talented 2016 Olympic bronze medalist who has remained perfect as a professional but has yet to face an elite opponent. The Ghana-born Londoner is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Pawel Stepien on May 6. Azeez is a friend and former stablemate of Buatsi. The 34-year-old from London also has built his record against second-tier opponents. He last fought on July 15, when he outpointed journeyman Khalid Graidia in an eight-rounder.

 

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.

 

ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK

WEDNESDAY

  • Brandon Glanton vs. Carlos Fromenta Romero, cruiserweights, Plant City, Florida (ProBox TV)

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Weekend Review: Leigh Wood, Alexis Rocha, Luis Lopez all give stirring performances

Weekend Review: Leigh Wood, Alexis Rocha and Luis Alberto Lopez all gave impressive performances on Saturday in separate locations.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

BIGGEST WINNERS
Leigh Wood, Alexis Rocha, Luis Alberto Lopez

Wood, Rocha and Lopez gave impressive performances Saturday in separate locations. Wood (27-3, 16 KOs) stood out. First, he made a bold move by facing Maurcio Lara (26-3-1, 19 KOs) in an immediate rematch after Lara knocked him out in February. And, second, he agreed to go through with the fight even though Lara came in three-plus pounds overweight. The British star’s confidence paid off in a big way. He dropped and outclassed his Mexican counterpart to win a wide decision, regain the 126-pound title he lost in the first fight and reestablish himself as one of the best in his division in Manchester, England. Rocha (23-1, 15 KOs) bolstered his position as a legitimate 147-pound contender by methodically beating up and stopping capable Anthony Young (24-3, 8 KOs) in five rounds in Indio, California. He wants the winner of Terence Crawford-Errol Spence Jr. in his next fight. Could Rocha compete against such superstars? Well, he has earned the right to try. And 126-pound titleholder Lopez (28-2, 16 KOs) looked like a beast against Michael Conlan (18-2, 9 KOs), stopping the two-time Irish Olympian with a single blow in the fifth round in Conlan’s hometown of Belfast. Lopez, an awkward, but efficient offensive fighter, is a threat to anyone in the featherweight division.

RABBIT PUNCHES

The showdown between Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr. is finally set for July 29 in Las Vegas. I wish the 30-somethings had fought a few years ago but I don’t want to dwell on the negative. They remain two of the best in the business. We should be celebrating. … Some might argue that Lara got what he deserved after missing weight by so much. No excuse is good enough. If you can’t make weight in one division, move up. He’s a dangerous fighter because of his power. He should do well at 130. … Lopez called out his fellow 126-pound champions (Wood, Rey Vargas and Robeisy Ramirez) after his victory. I think he could be a problem for anyone because of his style. … Conlan has been stopped in two of his last four fights. He might be finished as an elite fighter. …

Wood said after his victory that he’d like to face former titleholder Josh Warrington or one of the featherweight champions mentioned above. I would normally push for a title-unification bout but Wood vs. Warrington would be a massive event in the U.K. Remember, Warrington was stopped by Lara in 2021 and lost his belt to Lopez by a majority decision in December. I can see Wood taking that fight and then moving on to a unification bout. … Lawrence Okolie (19-1, 14 KOs) fell hard from the ranks of the unbeaten Saturday in England, losing a majority decision and his 200-pound title to countryman Chris Billam-Smith (18-1, 12 KOs) in a crazy fight. Okolie went down three times and lost two points for holding, which gave him no chance to win the fight. Judge Benjamin Rodriguez somehow scored it 112-112 in spite of the five points Okolie lost. Some have called Rodriguez’s scorecard “the worst of all time.” The other scores were more appropriate, 116-107 and 115-108.

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Weekend Review: Leigh Wood, Alexis Rocha, Luis Lopez all give stirring performances

Weekend Review: Leigh Wood, Alexis Rocha and Luis Alberto Lopez all gave impressive performances on Saturday in separate locations.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

BIGGEST WINNERS
Leigh Wood, Alexis Rocha, Luis Alberto Lopez

Wood, Rocha and Lopez gave impressive performances Saturday in separate locations. Wood (27-3, 16 KOs) stood out. First, he made a bold move by facing Maurcio Lara (26-3-1, 19 KOs) in an immediate rematch after Lara knocked him out in February. And, second, he agreed to go through with the fight even though Lara came in three-plus pounds overweight. The British star’s confidence paid off in a big way. He dropped and outclassed his Mexican counterpart to win a wide decision, regain the 126-pound title he lost in the first fight and reestablish himself as one of the best in his division in Manchester, England. Rocha (23-1, 15 KOs) bolstered his position as a legitimate 147-pound contender by methodically beating up and stopping capable Anthony Young (24-3, 8 KOs) in five rounds in Indio, California. He wants the winner of Terence Crawford-Errol Spence Jr. in his next fight. Could Rocha compete against such superstars? Well, he has earned the right to try. And 126-pound titleholder Lopez (28-2, 16 KOs) looked like a beast against Michael Conlan (18-2, 9 KOs), stopping the two-time Irish Olympian with a single blow in the fifth round in Conlan’s hometown of Belfast. Lopez, an awkward, but efficient offensive fighter, is a threat to anyone in the featherweight division.

RABBIT PUNCHES

The showdown between Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr. is finally set for July 29 in Las Vegas. I wish the 30-somethings had fought a few years ago but I don’t want to dwell on the negative. They remain two of the best in the business. We should be celebrating. … Some might argue that Lara got what he deserved after missing weight by so much. No excuse is good enough. If you can’t make weight in one division, move up. He’s a dangerous fighter because of his power. He should do well at 130. … Lopez called out his fellow 126-pound champions (Wood, Rey Vargas and Robeisy Ramirez) after his victory. I think he could be a problem for anyone because of his style. … Conlan has been stopped in two of his last four fights. He might be finished as an elite fighter. …

Wood said after his victory that he’d like to face former titleholder Josh Warrington or one of the featherweight champions mentioned above. I would normally push for a title-unification bout but Wood vs. Warrington would be a massive event in the U.K. Remember, Warrington was stopped by Lara in 2021 and lost his belt to Lopez by a majority decision in December. I can see Wood taking that fight and then moving on to a unification bout. … Lawrence Okolie (19-1, 14 KOs) fell hard from the ranks of the unbeaten Saturday in England, losing a majority decision and his 200-pound title to countryman Chris Billam-Smith (18-1, 12 KOs) in a crazy fight. Okolie went down three times and lost two points for holding, which gave him no chance to win the fight. Judge Benjamin Rodriguez somehow scored it 112-112 in spite of the five points Okolie lost. Some have called Rodriguez’s scorecard “the worst of all time.” The other scores were more appropriate, 116-107 and 115-108.

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