On Saturday, March 9, 2018, Golden Boy Promotions returns on ESPN with a fight card featuring Ronny Rios (29-2, 13 KOs) vs. Azat Hovhannisyan (13-2, 10 KOs) in the main event for the WBC Continental Americas Super Bantamweight championship.
The Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN fight card will take place at The Hangar at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, California.
In the co-main event, Rios’ younger brother and undefeated Welterweight prospect—Alexis Rocha—will also be fighting for a strap as he competes for the WBC Continental Americas Welterweight championship.
At only 20 years old, Rocha is one of the best boxers on a Golden Boy roster fueled with young talent. With a style that’s always been fit for the pro ranks, Rocha has a solid amateur background and worldwide experience that has helped him get to 10-0, 7 KOs and already featured in a co-main event bout.
“I’ve always had that professional style ever since the amateurs. I’ve never been about that pitter pat—get that pitter pat and score your points,” said Rocha. “I’ve always been the guy that goes in and sits down on his punches, tries to knock you out and is patient at the same time.”
In his last outing, which took place in Cancun, Mexico on November 16, Rocha blasted Pascual Salgado in emphatic fashion in just one round, showing that he’s got plenty of power to get fans on their feet.
“I’m a boxer-puncher. I come to get you out of there, but I don’t just look for one punch. I put my punches together, and I start everything off the jab,” said Rocha who is guided by lifelong trainer, Hector Lopez. “I’m very composed and patient. I don’t go out there reckless. I go out there using my stiff jab, working the body and breaking guys down.”
On fight night, Rocha and his older brother Rios hope to make history in their backyard.
“I think it’s very historic. You’ve never had two brothers in their backyard, in the OC, fighting for two belts,” said Rocha. “God willing everything goes well and we come out on top and we’ll both be strapped up with belts at the end of the night.”
Without looking too far ahead, Rocha knows that he’s in boxing’s hottest and arguably most lucrative division and he is focused on becoming one of boxing’s breakout stars at 147 pounds.
“It’s stacked. You’ve got great opposition out there [at Welterweight],” said Rocha. “You got Keith Thurman, Errol Spence and I feel like I’m developing into a strong Welterweight and I feel that I will be the next Welterweight superstar. I have confidence in my ability to do it.”
Rocha will get a chance to move one step closer to his goal on March 9
Header photo by Hogan Photos/Golden Boy Promotions
