Rocha and Collazo victorious in WBO Bouts

Sunday, January 29, 2023

The energy was eclectic at the inaugural boxing event at YouTube Theater, with fans being dazzled by the main event action featuring Santa Ana’s Alexis “Lex” Rocha (22-1, 14 KOs) and his seventh-round stoppage of Accra, Ghana’s George “Red Tiger”Ashie (33-5-2, 25 KOs).

The match, presented in association with Star Boxing, saw Ashie go down in the third round, and out by 2:08 in the seventh. The fight was broadcast worldwide on DAZN.

“I wanted to make a statement,” said Alexis Rocha. “Crawford is next. But if that can’t happen, I want all the big names. I’m signed to the best promotional company in the world, and I know they’ll make it happen. He [Ashie] was a tough fighter, but I knew he wasn’t going to hang with me.”

Opening up the DAZN broadcast, Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo (6-0, 4 KOs) of Villalba, Puerto Rico proved he’s well on his way to make history in his division by securing a fifth-round knockout against Monterrey, México’s Yudel “El Guerrerito” Reyes (15-2, 5 KOs) in WBO Title Eliminator. Presented in association with Cotto Promotions, the fight ended at 2:59 with a destructive hook to the body shot by Collazo that sent Reyes almost out of the ropes.

“I feel super good. We did exactly what we wanted to do,” said Collazo. “If we went to the body, we then went back up and that’s how we made it happen. The knockout punch was the hook. We had been practicing since camp so I’m glad we made it happen. I want the champions next. Specifically, The WBO champion, Melvin Jerusalem. So, Melvin, if you’re listening, I want you.”