By Jack Walsh
ALEXIS Rocha outclassed Santiago Dominguez over 10 rounds final evening of their welterweight matchup. Rocha claimed a unanimous decision win by scores of 99-91 (twice) and 98-92, selecting up the vacant WBO-NABO championship.
Headlining on the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California, Rocha’s pace and constant ring tenacity proved troublesome to resist for Dominguez.
In the primary two rounds, each fighters got here out comparatively sizzling, touchdown laborious flurries, counters and hooks to the physique in a fast-paced battle.
Round three gave the impression to be when the brand new and improved southpaw Rocha showcased his revamped struggle type. Boxing on his again foot, flustering Dominguez with dodges and counters whereas additionally using his jab.
Twice within the spherical, Dominguez claimed low blows from what had been really simply slamming belt-line physique pictures. Rocha was constant in touchdown damaging physique pictures all through the struggle, which left Dominguez wincing at occasions.
Rocha dominates Dominguez (Golden Boy)
Moving ahead, Rocha managed the tempo and really appeared like a distinct fighter than we’ve beforehand seen. His fixed combos and completely timed counters continued to land within the center and late rounds. Rocha, 27, wasn’t forcing pictures or preventing on the ropes as a lot as he normally does.
After attacking, Rocha would pivot out of bother again, towards the center of the ring, earlier than Dominguez may unleash his urgent energy — preventing at an angle.
Dominguez was not helpless within the ring, although, tagging Rocha a handful of occasions all through everything of the 10-round bout.
It was evident that Rocha deliberate to struggle technically and field reasonably than simply commerce pictures, which he confirmed with DAZN within the post-fight interview.
He additionally acknowledged that he nonetheless believes he’s on the verge of a possible world title struggle. This is Rocha’s second win since a dangerous sixth-round loss to Giovani Santillan. In March, Alexis compelled Fredrick Lawson to retire previous to the eighth spherical.
Rocha (ranked #9 by the WBO coming in) improved to 25-2 (16 KOs), whereas Dominguez (#11) tallied his first skilled defeat, falling to 27-1 (20 KOs).
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