Two of Southern California’s elite welterweights are set to battle in a bout that promises to rattle the division's foundations. Alexis “Lex” Rocha, the reigning NABO welterweight champion, faces the challenge of San Diego’s unbeaten Giovani “Gallo de Oro” Santillan. The action, spanning 12 rounds, will be hosted at the iconic Kia Forum and will be globally accessible live on DAZN.
Golden Boy Promotions’ Oscar De La Hoya praises Rocha for his tenacity and frequent confrontations against top-notch fighters, highlighting his exponential growth over time. Emphasizing Rocha's merits, De La Hoya said, “The pride of Santa Ana is poised for another stellar performance, marking yet another stride in the welterweight echelon.”
Having secured the NABO welterweight title in July 2022, southpaw Rocha has notably defended his title thrice. He stated, “This bout is a defining moment. While I respect Santillan and his team, I’ll ensure I bring my best to the ring on October 21.”
Giovani Santillan, having spent over ten years in the boxing realm, is eager to showcase his readiness for the world title. With an unblemished track record, Santillan has consistently shown he can endure grueling bouts against formidable adversaries.
Bob Arum of Top Rank lauds the matchup, saying, “This is a titanic clash between two of SoCal’s finest. Kudos to Rocha for daring to face Santillan despite his proximity to a world title. The anticipation for October 21 is palpable.”
Santillan, no stranger to the NABO welterweight title, having held and defended it twice, recently showcased his skills in a tight contest against Ecuador’s Erick Bone. Hungry for recognition, he remarked, “I’ve been eyeing a bout with Rocha for a while. Now's my time to seize this moment."
Watch the official press conference live on YouTube: Watch
In the co-main event, John Ramirez (12-0, 8 KOs) will face off against Ronal Batista (15-3, 9 KOs) in a WBA title eliminator. Ramirez, who turned pro in 2020, secured a split decision victory over Fernando Diaz in his latest bout and is ranked No. 2 in the WBA. On the other hand, Batista, who turned pro in 2016, previously clinched the local super flyweight title but fell short against Julio Cesar Martinez for the WBC flyweight belt last year.
Main card:
▪️Alexis Rocha vs. Giovani Santillan, 12 rounds, for Rocha’s NABO welterweight title ▪️Arely Mucino vs. Gabriela Fundora, 10 rounds, for Mucino’s IBF flyweight title ▪️John Ramirez vs. Ronal Batista, 12 rounds, for WBA title eliminator ▪️Ricardo Sandoval vs. Victor Efrain Sandoval, 10 rounds, flyweight ▪️David Stevens vs. Joeshon James, 8 rounds, super middleweight
Prelims:
▪️Iyana Verduzco vs. Clarice Morales, 4 rounds, featherweight ▪️Fabian Guzman vs. Rueben Johnson, 4 rounds, super welterweight
Watch the official weigh in live on YouTube: Watch
