YouTube Theatre, Inglewood, California, USA. In the main event of the show, the popular local welterweight prospect (up to 66.7 kg) Alexis Rocha (22-1, 14 KOs) expectedly easily beat the late replacement – age African George Ashi (33-6-1, 25 KOs), who previously played in 61.2 kg.
The left-handed favorite slowly crushed the opponent, well punched through the body. He tried to counter, met with check-hooks, but was soon forced to increasingly clinch and tie Rocha’s hands. The referee intervened – he harshly scolded the African.
Rocha shook Ashi with a left straight at the start of the 3rd three-minute period. The African survived and accepted the exchange. It ended with the expected knockdown – a terrible right hook yawned. Surprisingly, the African rose after that to his feet and continued the fight.
A quick right from @alexisrocha777 and George Ashie hits the canvas.#RochaAshie | LIVE on @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/RAN06wrObc
— Golden Boy (@GoldenBoyBoxing) January 29, 2023
The fighters made an exchange in the 4th round. Rocha missed a lot, forgot about defense – I really wanted to finish the fight with a beautiful knockout. The African kept on the moral and strong-willed, but continued to respond with blows for blows. He held out until the end of the three-minute period, for some reason he was released to the next one.
Big shots by@AlexisRocha777at the end of the 5th round. pic.twitter.com/1yRR0OOgst
— Golden Boy (@GoldenBoyBoxing) January 29, 2023
Ashi spent the second round in a row in the corner of the ring. He misses a lot and it hurts, but at times he answers well. A little more power. In the 6th three-minute period, Rocha struck the African below the belt. Then the fighters collided heads – the favorite has a very unpleasant cut near the left eye.
A pause in action to check a cut over the eye of Alexis Rocha…but the fight continues.#RochaAshie | LIVE on @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/iQZ3x1FISl
— Golden Boy (@GoldenBoyBoxing) January 29, 2023
The cut forced Rocha to slightly change the plan for the fight. He minimized close/mid range fights, worked from behind the jab. In the 7th round, he caught the African with a right hook. Very scary knockout.
WHAT AN ENDING! @AlexisRocha777 with a BIG KO over a very tough and resilient George Ashie.#RochaAshie | LIVE on @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/GonU27Kgxo
— Golden Boy (@GoldenBoyBoxing) January 29, 2023
Rocha KO 7.