Alexis Rocha earned a big fight by stopping late-replacement George Ashie in round seven of their 12-round welterweight bout at The YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California.

In round three, Rocha uncorked a vicious right hook that landed on the jaw and sent Ashie to the canvas. There was some furious exchanges that Rocha got the better of and he landed some good hooks to the head and thudding body shots.

In round six, Rocha was cut over his right eye from an accidental headbutt. In round seven. Rocha landed a perfectly timed right hook that deposited Ashie face-first on the canvas and the fight was over at 2:08.

Rocha, 146.4 lbs of Santa Ana, CA is 22-1 with 14 knockouts. Ashie, 146 lbs of Accra, GHA is 33-6-1.

“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.”

Floyd Schofield Decisions Mercado

Floyd Schofield remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Alberto Mercado in a lightweight bout.

In round two, Schofield landed a hard right to the top of the head that put Mercado down.

Schofield, 134.8 lbs of Austin, TX won by scores of 100-89 on all cards and is now 13-0. Mercado, 134.8 lbs of Humacao, PR is 17-5-1.

“My feet hurt, but it was a good victory,” said Floyd Schofield. “To the fans, thank you for all the love and support, and next time I’ll definitely get that knockout. We want to fight Keyshawn Davis next.”

Melikuziev Stops Sierra in 3

Bektemir Melikuziev stopped Ulises Sierra in round three of their 10-round super middleweight bout.

In round two, Melikuziev was cut over the right eye from a punch. In round three, Melikuziev dropped Sierra with a straight left to the body. Late in the round, it was a hard straight left to the body that put Sierra down for good, and the bout was stopped at 2:59.

Melikuziev, 167.6 lbs of Indio, CA is now 11-1 with nine knockouts. Sierra, 167.4 lbs of San Diego, CA is 17-3-2.

“I’m happy that I just won and as I said before Gabe Rosado is the guy I’m looking for and if not him, anyone,” said Bektemir Melikuziev. “I’m ready. Just give me any 168-lb fight. Thank you to all of my supporters, we’re moving little by little. We’re getting closer to the title shot, we got another title today and we’re looking forward to the world championship.”

Oscar Collazo Stops Reyes in 5

Oscar Collazo stopped Yudel Reyes in round five of their 12-round WBO Minimumweight Elimination bout.

In round five, Collazo landed a big right hook that rocked Reyes back. Collazo followed up with a left and another right hook that put Reyes on the canvas. At the end of the round, Collazo landed another flush right hook that was followed by a straight left that put Reyes down again, and the fight was stopped at 2:59.

Collazo, 104.6 lbs of Villalba, PR is now 6-0 with four knockouts. Reyes, 104.2 lbs of Monterrey, MEX is 15-2.

“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 WBA champion, Melvin Jerusalem. So, Melvin, if you’re listening, I want you.”

Former featherweight world champion Shakur Stevenson won an easy 10-round unanimous decision over Toka Kahn Clary in a junior lightweight bout at the MGM Grand Conference center in las Vegas.

Stevenson dominated the bout with Kahn Clary showing next-to-nothing in return.

Stevenson landed 151 of 514 punches; Kahn Clary landed 48 of 529.

Stevenson, 130 lbs of Newark, NJ won by scores of 100-90 on all cards and is now 15-0. Kahn Clary, 129 lbs of Providence, RI is 28-3-1.

“He knew how to survive. He came in there to survive, and that’s what he did,” Stevenson said. “I want the WBO belt first. The winner of {Carl} Frampton and {Jamel} Herring have to come see me. After that, we want {WBC world champion Miguel} Berchelt.”

Nakatani stops Verdejo in 9

Masayoushi Nakatani shook off two early knockdowns and then stopped Felix Verdejo in round nine of their scheduled 10-round lightweight bout.

In round one, Verdejo scored a knockdown with a hard right hand. It was another right hand in round four that sent Nakatani down for a 2nd time

In round nine Nakatani landed a hard right that sent Verdejo down with a j on the chin. Then it was a right to the top of the head that sent Verdejo down face-first and the fight was stopped at 1:45.

Nakatani, 135 lbs of Osaka, JAP is 19-1 with 13 knockdowns. Verdejo, 135 lbs of San Juan, PR is 27-2.

After the bout, a jubilant Nakatani set his sights on a rematch with Lopez, now the undisputed lightweight world champion.

“I fought Lopez, and I wanted to fight him again, and that’s why I kept going,” Nakatani said. “I want to go for the knockout like I did today, and that’s going to be my style.”

Berlanga Keeps 1st round KO Streak intact; Stops Sierra

Edgar Berlanga kept his perfect 1st round knockout streak alive as he stopped Ulises Sierra in their scheduled eight-round super middleweight bout.

He dropped Sierra with a hard right around the gloves. He sent Sierra down for a 2nd time with a vicious seven punch combination. Berlanga ended things with a vicious flurry that was punctuated by a hard right and the fight was stopped at 2:40.

Berlanga, 169 lbs of Brooklyn NY is 16-0 with 16 opening round knockouts. Sierra, 167 1/2 lbs of San Diego is 15-2-2.

Berlanga said, “{I want} rounds. The better competition, the better opposition we fight, I believe we’re going to get those rounds in. We ended 2020 with a bang. 2021 is a big year for us, and I’m looking forward to it.

“Tito Trinidad was my idol. He still is. Just being with him opened up my eyes as to what boxing is about, the dedication, the focus, leaving the streets and the bad people alone.”

Quincy LaVallais won a eight-round unanimous decision over feel-good Clay Collard in a middleweight bout.

LaVallais, !59 lbs of Kenner, LA won by scores of 78-74 and 77-75 twice and is now 10-0-1. Collard, 159 lbs of Burley, ID is 9-3-3.

Jesse Rodriguez stopped Saul Juarez in round two of a scheduled eight-round flyweight bout.

In round two, Rodriguez dropped Juarez with a crushing left uppercut for the count of 10 at 2:05

Rodriguez, 110.5 lbs of San Antonio, TX is 13-0 with nine knockouts. Juarez, 110 lbs of Mexico City, MEX is 25-14-2.

Former Olympic Gold Medal winner Robeisy Ramirez stopped Brandon Valdes in round six of a scheduled eight-round featherweight bout.

In round six, Valdes was deducted a point for a low blow. Later in the round, Ramirez landed a heavyweight combination on the ropes, and referee Russell Mora stopped the fight at 2:49.

Ramirez, 126 lbs of Cuba is 6-1 with four knockouts. Valdes, 127 lbs of Barranquilla, COL is 13-2.

Haven Bardy Jr. made it two in a row with stoppage at the end of round two of a scheduled four-round featherweight bout over Michael Land.

Brady, 127 lbs of Albany. GA is 2-0 with both wins coming via stoopage. Land, 126 lbs of Cedar Hill, TX is 1-2.

Kasir Goldston stopped Llewelyn McClamy in a scheduled four-round welterweight bout.

In round two, Goldston dropped McClamy with a straight left hand. Goldston finished the bout just a few seconds later when he dropped McClammy again with a left and the fight was stopped at 1:35.

Goldston, 142 lbs of Albany, NU is 2-0 with one knockout. McClamy. 142.5 lbs of Pittsburgh, PA is 2-1.

LAS VEGAS (November 25, 2020) — Super middleweight wrecking ball Edgar “The Chosen One” Berlanga has been “The Perfect One” thus far, knocking out all 15 of his professional opponents in the first round.
 
Berlanga puts perfection on the line Saturday, Dec. 12, when he fights Ulises Sierra in an eight-round showdown from MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Berlanga-Sierra will open the ESPN-televised tripleheader (10 p.m. ET) that includes the 10-round junior lightweight main event featuring Shakur Stevenson and Toka Kahn Clary and a 10-round lightweight co-feature between Felix Verdejo and Masayoshi Nakatani.
 
“Edgar Berlanga has a unique blend of power and charisma, and I believe he is the next Puerto Rican superstar,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Ulises Sierra is the toughest test of Edgar’s career. Who knows if that will make a difference? We’ve tried to get the kid some rounds before, but once Edgar hurts his opponents, it’s game over.”
 
Berlanga (15-0, 15 KOs) has fought twice in 2020, spending a grand total of 2:21 inside the ring. He knocked out Lanell Bellows in 1:19 on the Vasiliy Lomachenko-Teofimo Lopez undercard, the first time Bellows had been knocked out in 30 professional bouts. Sierra (15-1-2, 9 KOs), from San Diego, entered 2020 on an eight-bout winning streak, which included a nationally televised 28-second knockout over Jose Hernandez. In January, he dropped a 10-round unanimous decision to top prospect Vladimir Shishkin.

In a battle of undefeated super middleweights, Vladimir Shishkin won a 10-round unanimous decision over Ulises Sierra at The WinnaVegas Casino in Sloan, Iowa.

Shishkin, 167 1/2 lbs of Russia won by scores of 100-90 and 99-91 twice, and is now 10-0. Sierra, 167 lbs of San Diego is 15-1-2.

He added: “I want Canelo (Alvarez). I want (David) Benavidez. I want the champions next. I am ready for the next level. With Sugarhill in my corner I am ready for anyone. Even with one hand.”

Steward is the nephew of the legendary trainer Emanuel Steward. “I thought all the Detroit guys did great,” Sugarhill Steward said. “They all got good experience on television. That’s a factor that some fighters don’t take in to consideration. When they get on television, they don’t know how to handle it. You have to be used to being on a stage like this and I’m happy with the way they all performed. All the guys from Detroit stepped up on television to further their careers. I’m very happy all-around.”

Shohjahon Egragshev stopped Adrian Estrella with a one-punch knockout in round one of a scheduled 10-round bout.

Ergashev landed a perfect left to the body that sent Esrella down in a heap of pain and the fight was stopped after the 10-count at 1:32.

Ergashev, 140 lbs of Uzbekastan is 18-0 with 16 knockouts. Estrella, 141 lbs of Monterrey, MX is 29-5.

“I just saw the window to the body, so I threw the shot,” said Ergashev, who is ranked in the top-15 in three of the four major sanctioning bodies. “I wasn’t planning to knock him out in the first round. I wanted to get some rounds in. The guy is durable and experienced, so I thought I would, but when I saw that opening, I had to take it.

“I knew it was over the second it landed though. I knew he would not get up from that. No one could. That was a message to the super lightweight division. It’s Shoh Time! No matter where I fight, it is always Shoh Time.”

“I started moving and tried using my jab, but he was very quick with that punch,” Estrella said. “He just punched me very hard in the stomach and I was paralyzed on the canvas. I tried to stand up, but I couldn’t hear the referee counting. I couldn’t hear anything, and I couldn’t move. It was a hell of a shot.”

Jarico O’Quinn won an eight-round unanimous decision over Oscar Vasquez in a bantamweight bout.

O’Quinn, 118 1/2 lbs of Detroit won by scores of 79-73 on all cards and is now 14-0-1. Vasquez, 117 1/4 lbs of Reno, Nevada is 15-3-1.

“I give this performance a six, to be honest,” said O’Quinn. “I want to fight bigger and taller people, that’s what I’m used to. I’m not taking anything away from Oscar. No matter what I will always come out on top. Even when things can get ugly, I know how to win beautiful.”

Added O’Quinn: “I went into this fight knowing Oscar Vasquez was a tough guy. I knew he would be coming forward to make it ugly, so my game plan was to box him but if I had to, stand there and trade with him. I knew I’d be stronger than him and be able to take his punch. It was hard to land my shots with him leaning on me. I couldn’t turn him like I wanted and cut off angles, but we came, we conquered and I got the win.”

SLOAN, Iowa – January 16, 2020 – Fast-rising super middleweight prospect Vladimir Shishkin (9-0, 6 KOs) and unbeaten Ulises Sierra (15-0-2, 9 KOs) both made weight a day before they square off on ShoBox: The New Generation Friday night live on SHOWTIME (10:00 p.m. ET/PT) from WinnaVegas Casino in Sloan, Iowa. Friday’s show will be the 250th edition of ShoBox, the prospect-oriented series that has featured 81 future world champions since its inception in 2001.

In the co-feature, Shohjahon Ergashev (17-0, 15 KOs) will take on Adrian Estrella (29-4, 24 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight bout, and in the telecast opener, Detroit native Ja’Rico O’Quinn (13-0-1, 8 KOs) faces Nevada’s Oscar Vasquez (15-2-1, 3 KOs) in an eight-round bantamweight contest.

The event is promoted by Salita Promotions in association. Tickets, starting at $20, are available at www.WinnaVegas.com.

Hall of Famer Barry Tompkins will call the action from ringside with fellow Hall of Famer Steve Farhood and former world champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts. The executive producer is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.

FINAL WEIGHTS, REFEREES AND JUDGES

Super Middleweight 10-Round Bout

Vladimir Shishkin – 167 ½ lbs.

Ulises Sierra – 167 lbs.

Referee: Adam Pollack (Iowa); Judges: Steve Weisfeld (New Jersey), Bob LaFratte (Iowa), Barry Wolff (Illinois)

Super Lightweight 10-Round Bout

Shohjahon Ergashev – 140 lbs.

Adrian Estrella – 141 lbs.

Referee: Paul Parry (Iowa); Judges: Steve Weisfeld (New Jersey), Bob LaFratte (Iowa), Adam Pollack (Iowa)

Bantamweight 8-Round Bout

Ja’Rico O’Quinn – 118 ½ lbs.

Oscar Vasquez – 117 ¼ lbs.

Referee: Adam Pollack (Iowa); Judges: Steve Weisfeld (New Jersey), Bob LaFratte (Iowa), Barry Wolff (Illinois)

FINAL QUOTES:

VLADIMIR SHISHKIN:

“I’ve faced every type of fighter there is already, so nothing is surprising for me in the ring. It doesn’t matter what type of fight he wants to have. I will definitely be victorious Friday night and I’ll be going for the knockout to give the fans what they want.

“My focus is on winning the world championship and gaining standing in the world of boxing.

“Working with Sugarhill (Steward) has been incredible for me. I’ve been improving my strength and movement especially. He’s the best trainer I’ve ever had.

“I looked at the American stars in Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Roy Jones Jr., and Floyd Mayweather Jr., growing up and they are who I model myself after.

“I’ve sparred with Charles Conwell in this most recent camp and he’s really up-and-coming. I look for big things from both of us in 2020.”

ULISES SIERRA:

“Andre Ward was my first big camp and I’ve sparred with a lot of champions. But I’m not a sparring partner. I don’t have that mentality. I figure if I’m going to spar with someone it might as well be with the best. I’ve been in three Canelo (Alvarez) camps. And I’ve also sparred with David Benavidez.

“I get to see how they train and what they do and what makes them great. Canelo is the best of them. Just his technique and his preparation. He’s always on point and works on everything he’s told to do. They are all great champions.

“This is a great opportunity for me. I never get the calls for shows like this, and I don’t know why that is. This is my chance to shine and could change everything for me.

“Shishkin hasn’t lost yet and will be in for a tough test for me. I’ll do a little bit of everything, I can fight on the inside and the outside. He’s a long-range fighter and has length.

“I never played baseball. My dad (former Padres pitcher) tried to get me to be play baseball but I did other things like football and basketball. He was drafted at age 16 out of Puerto Rico and pitched in the majors for one year before injuring his arm.”

SHOHJAHON ERGASHEV:

“My left hand is strong, no problems. I can hit.

“I would like to fight the best possible opponents. I’m coming to fight not simply to collect money and win the fight. Every time I’m in the ring, I want to destroy my opponent. I understand that there might be better boxers in my weight class, but I’m ready to fight them.

“It has been a big difference for me as professional boxer during the last year. I started listening. I was not listening before, I was just stepping in the ring and trying to knock my opponent out. Sugarhill (Steward) didn’t allow me to continue sparring because I was not listening. But after my last fight, I started listening.

“My trainer has been working with Tyson Fury, but that hasn’t affected me. It has only helped me. Theotrice Chambers, Richard Phillips and the entire Kronk Gym team have taken over these past few weeks but Sugarhill is here with me now and will be in my corner on Friday night.”

ADRIAN ESTRELLA:

“I feel comfortable with super lightweight. I just have to cut less weight than I used to before. I was in camp with Regis Prograis and I feel great.

“This is my first time fighting on ShoBox and I can’t wait to make my debut.

“I started out as a really aggressive fighter, but I’m more under control now.

“I’ve been sparring with a lot of good guys, and some southpaws including one of my trainers and super middleweight fighter Oscar Rojas.

“This is a second chance for me. I was once 22-0 and now I’m back. I blew past Christmas and New Year’s and am so focused. I have been disciplined. I have done it before and I will get it done on Friday night.”

JA’RICO O’QUINN:

“I do construction 10 hours a day and that’s my full-time job, so I was coming into 118 fights easy at 116 and 117 pounds. I get up at 4 a.m. and I go straight to the gym at 4 p.m. It’s tough, but I was able to get a couple of weeks off for this fight.

“I’m not dodging anyone. I can and will fight anyone. You can put me in there with the top guys and I’m not worried about anyone. I’m ready to face the best.

“The other top guys in the division have skills, but I have power and skills. Don’t be surprised if I go in there and knock them all out.

“I know Vasquez is a tough fighter and he will keep on coming. It’s like a car with no brakes. He’s going to come and he’s going to run into something. And it will be lights out.”

OSCAR VASQUEZ:

“I am obviously familiar with my opponent and ready for this battle. We’ve trained hard and had a great camp. As my full-time job, I’m a crane operator and I train in the altitude which helps me when I come here.

“I just need to go in there and close him and overwhelm my opponent. This is a very important fight for my career and will put me in a better position for my future. This is a bigger show and on SHOWTIME so I have to look good.

“This isn’t my toughest opponent to date. I don’t think there is anything that worries me about this opponent. I will go in there with a game plan. Sometimes that plan changes after one round. That’s why I don’t study fighters. I did that in the past and it has hurt me.

“This is such an important fight for my career and can change a lot for me. It will mean so much to me if I can go out there and perform and get this win.”

DMITRIY SALITA, President, Salita Promotions:

“Friday night we will have three of the best prospects in boxing in competitive, make it or break it fights in the historic 250th edition of ShoBox. This is going to be an exciting night of boxing from beginning to end.”

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For more information visit www.sho.com/sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports.

About ShoBox: The New Generation

Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 81 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Paulie Malignaggi, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more.