INDIO, Calif. – Alexis Rocha demonstrated he can box and is still a contender at 147 pounds.
Rocha, who is rated No. 9 by The Ring at 147 pounds, defeated Santiago Dominguez by unanimous decision Friday night before a partisan crowd at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. Scores were 99-91, 99-91, and 98-92 for Rocha, who improved to 25-2, 16 knockouts.
“It was a good fight,” said Rocha after the fight. “I wanted to show I can box as well.”
It was a dull opening round until the last 20 seconds, as both stood in the pocket and traded punches against the ropes.
Dominguez walked the southpaw Rocha down, looking for opportunities to throw and land sweeping right crosses. He was able to do so midway through round two, prompting Rocha to momentarily clench, and land a left cross of his own. Towards the end of the round, both stood in the pocket in the center of the ring, landing their own share of punches.
Rocha began to land more punches flush to the head of Dominguez in round three. During the round, Rocha landed two left hands to body, each prompting a reaction from Dominguez that the punches were below the beltline. Replays showed the punches Rocha landed were right on the beltline.
Dominguez had his moments during the middle rounds, landing lead or straight right hands to the head, but Rocha mixed his attack well, connecting with left crosses to the head or left and right hands to the body.
As the fight entered the second stanza, Rocha dominated, whether it was walking Dominguez down or fighting off the ropes. Rocha continued to land to the stomach or beltline, causing Dominguez to occasionally glance at referee Ray Corona.
Early during round eight, a series of combinations backed Dominguez into the ropes. Rocha continued to batter Dominguez, but Dominguez was able to overcome the onslaught from Rocha.
Both fighters had their moments during the final seconds of round nine, as both stood in the pocket. Dominguez did catch Rocha flush at times, prompting him to fight back or clench. Sensing he needed a big rally in round 10, Dominguez was on his front foot, throwing punches and combinations. Some did connect, but Rocha did not look visibly hurt, as he fought off the ropes until the bell sounded to end the fight.
The 27-year-old previously fought on March 30, stopping Fredrick Lawson after round seven. The win over Lawson took place over five months after suffering a brutal knockout loss to Giovani Santillan.
Rocha believes the loss to Santillan does not define his career.
“That night was just a bad night,” said Rocha, who has fought under the Golden Boy Promotions banner since March 2016, when he made his pro debut.
Rocha is the younger brother of former world junior featherweight title challenger Ronny Rios.
Dominguez, who resides in Ciudad Obregon, Mexico, falls to 27-1, 20 KOs. In his previous fight, also on March 30, Dominguez won a close split decision over Jose Luis Sanchez.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached at santio89@yahoo.com
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