In the co-main event of Garcia vs Fortuna At Crypto Arena, Orange County’s fan favorite, Alexis “Lex” Rocha of Santa Ana, CA, defeated Luis Veron of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
In the process, he captured the NABO Welterweight Title in a 10-round fight.
Alexis Rocha
Both fighters were willing to make calculated moves as they tried to land effective punches. Rocha landing the more precise shots, took the scorecards with 100-90, 100-90, and 99-91, winning via unanimous decision.
“My strategy for this fight was to go in there and break him down,” said Alexis Rocha. “I knew he would be a durable fighter; he gets hit and stays there.
“Once that happened in the fight, I knew he was just going to survive. Training is always great with my team. They’re always pushing me.
“I went there with a game plan. I followed it the best I could. It feels good fighting in front of a big crowd here at the Crypto Arena.
“Having my Santa Ana crowd behind me made me feel good. Onto the next level now.”
Crypto Arena
Also, on the DAZN live stream, Lamont Roach Jr. (23-1-1, 9 KOs) of Washington, DC, went the distance against formidable opponent Angel “Humildad” Rodriguez (20-2, 10 KOs) of Barranquilla, COL. for a 12-round WBA Super Featherweight Title Eliminator.
Roach Jr. fought wise and defensively, taking the fight forward. Roach Jr. won unanimously with scores of 116-112, 116-112, and 117-111.
“My strategy was to stay tight and keep the pressure on him,” said Lamont Roach Jr. “We knew it would break him down.
He was a tall and lanky fighter, so we were watching out for the looping shots. He had a nice 1-2, the ones that landed I let him. Yes, he was good defensively, but I would have stopped him if we had kept the punch output higher. He was very elusive.”
“He’s an amazing fighter, extremely intelligent,” said Angel Rodriguez. “He knows how to work his rival and always keeps his composure even when getting hit. In these events, they decide who wins, and I’d fight him again as an athlete.
“We tried to win, but he simply came with better preparation and strategy. That’s why he took the victory.”
DAZN at Crypto Arena
Opening up the live stream on DAZN, Rialto’s Ricardo “El Nino” Sandoval (20-2, 15 KOs) faced undefeated fighter David “Medallita” Jimenez (12-0, 9 KOs) of Cartago, CRI, in a 12-round fight for the WBA Flyweight Title Eliminator.
In the 11th round, Sandoval was shaken and hit the canvas; after he got back up, he was saved by the bell as Jimenez launched an attack to try to finish the fight.
The fighters engaged in a crowd-pleasing final round, with the victory awarded to David Jimenez by the judges via majority decision with scores of 112-114, 112-114, and 113-113.
“I’m happy and grateful for this new victory,” said David Jimenez. “We executed our game plan perfectly.
“In the first six rounds, it was a lot of movement and aiming. After the 6th round, I started to take advantage. My rival was very tough and stubborn.
“He has a lot ahead of him. I will go home after this victory and spend time with my family. Then get back into the gym.”
“I felt like I was boxing him correctly, so I feel very good,” said Ricardo Sandoval. “I was also countering him downstairs and upstairs.
“But you know these things happen. I felt like I had won the fight. The people won tonight and got one hell of a fight.”
Golden Boy Fight Night
The Golden Boy Fight Night: Garcia vs. Fortuna Prelims at Crypto Arena portion of the night was headlined by Oscar Collazo (5-0, 3 KOs) of Villalba, PR, taking on Victorio Saludar (21-6, 11 KOs) in a 12-round fight for the WBA Minimumweight Title Eliminator.
The battle was close as both fighters got a knockdown in the seventh round, but Collazo took the edge by putting the pressure and coming forward. Collazo won via unanimous decision with scores of 118-112, 116-110, and 116-110.
“It was a tough fight. I had to use my whole toolbox,” said Oscar Collazo. “My opponent was powerful and experienced.
“He’s a veteran in the sport. But, thanks to my corner, I got in the ring and fought round by round. A world championship is next. I want to be a champion.”
Diego De La Hoya
Next, Diego De La Hoya (23-1, 11 KOs) of Mexicali, MX, dominates Enrique Bernache (24-14, 12 KOs) of Guadalajara, MX, early in a scheduled 10-round featherweight fight by throwing powerful counters.
Although Bernache was slipping a lot during the fight, it didn’t stop Diego from keeping him at a distance and destroying him in the fourth round at the 2:51 marker via knockout.
“I felt thrilled to be back, said Diego De La Hoya. “I haven’t fought in two years, so I felt great. My opponent was formidable.
“I’ll probably fight again in September. Hopefully, I will fight for a championship soon.”
Opening the night, Los Angeles’ Miguel Gaona (3-0, 2 KOs) defeats Abdiel Padilla (1-3, 1 KO) of Caguas, PR, dominantly via KO in the first round of a scheduled four-round super lightweight fight.
Gaona started slow and cautious at the beginning of the round. He then finished his opponent with a body shot at the end.
Follow WBN: Facebook @officialworldboxingnews.Twitter @worldboxingnews.
