Erick Rosa and Yudel Reyes will step into the ring on Friday to fight for the World Boxing Association (WBA) Gold belt during the main event to be held at the Fencing Pavilion of the Olympic Center in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. 

Rosa, former minimum world champion, moved up a category to start a new path that will allow him to continue growing as a fighter and the first step will be this bout for the belt of the pioneer organization.

The southpaw fighter will fight at home after a camp in Las Vegas, which will serve as motivation for his return to the ring. His most recent fight was on August 25 against Venezuelan Orlando Pino, whom he defeated by technical knockout in eight rounds. 

Reyes, who is 27 years old, has quite an interesting experience. The Monterrey native defeated Jose Calderon Cervantes in his last fight in May and has faced good opponents in his career, including current world champion Oscar Collazo. 

Rosa has a record of 6 wins, no losses and 2 knockouts, while Reyes comes into the fight with 16 wins, 2 losses and 6 knockouts.

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.”

LOS ANGELES, CA (January 17, 2023): Golden Boy announced a slew of undercard fights today, completing a stacked card for the first boxing event to be held at YouTube Theater in Inglewood on January 28. Doors to the venue will open at 3:00 p.m. PST, and the worldwide broadcast on DAZN begins at 5:00 p.m. PST/ 8:00 p.m. EST.

“Golden Boy is going to make a statement in 2023,” said Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions Oscar De La Hoya. “Fans will be pleased to see that we’re starting the year on a fever pitch with a phenomenal card featuring potential world champions and some burgeoning stars I have personally discovered and stewarded – including main and co-main events Alexis Rocha and Floyd Schofield – in the state-of-the-art YouTube Theater.” 

The main event features Santa Ana’s Alexis “Lex” Rocha (21-1, 13 KOs) who is scheduled to defend his NABO Welterweight Title against Atlantic City, New Jersey’s Anthony “Juice” Young (24-2, 8 KOs) in a 12-round fight presented in association with Hard Hitting Promotions. Rocha is currently ranked No. 4 by the WBO, and will be positioned for a world championship eliminator fight if he wins. In chief support, Austin, Texas’s Floyd “Kid Austin” Schofield (12-0, 10 KOs) will participate in a 10-round match against Humacao, Puerto Rico’s Alberto Mercado (17-4-1, 4 KOs) for the vacant WBA International Lightweight Title which is presented in association with Davies Entertainment.

On hot pursuit to make history in the minimumweight division, Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo (5-0, 3 KOs) of Villalba, Puerto Rico will face a new opponent from Monterrey, México, Yudel “El Guerrerito” Reyes (15-1, 5 KOs). Presented in association with Cotto Promotions, the classic Puerto Rico vs. Mexico fight will be a surefire hit with fans. Additionally, if Collazo secures the victory he will be knocking the door of a world title opportunity and the potential to make history as one of the fastest to become a world champion in his division having only turned professional in February 2020. 

“We are disappointed with the news that our compatriot Wilfredo Méndez won’t be able to fight me. In this sport anything can happen. We wish him a speedy recovery and wish him the best,” said Oscar Collazo. “I want to thank Miguel Cotto Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions who have worked very hard to ensure that the fight against Yudel Reyes continues to be a world title eliminator fight. I also greatly appreciate Paco Valcarcel from the WBO for the support to make this fight possible. 

“We know that the rivalry between Puerto Rico vs. Mexico is exciting and without a doubt we will write another chapter. I promise you, Yudel is not going to stop or get in the way of me, I will be a champion and he will be one more test on my way to the top. Expect the best of me on January 28,” concluded Collazo. 

“We are very excited because we have been asking for an important opportunity for some time and now it has been given to us. We are set for big fights and Oscar Collazo is a great challenge. I hope to put on a show for the fans that day,” said Yudel Reyes. 

Continues Reyes,“It feels good to be part of history like Chávez was with Macho Camacho, or Salvador Sánchez with Wilfredo Gómez, among others. We hope to give a great fight. I have fought a Puerto Rican before, Atenea Santiago, and I beat him to secure the NABO title. I hope to make history against Collazo, we are not going to disappoint the public and we are going to do our best for Mexico to get the victory.” 

Opening up the DAZN broadcast, Indio’s Bektemir “Bully” Melikuziev (10-1, 8 KOs) is scheduled to fight a 10-round super middleweight match against San Diego’s Ulises Sierra (17-2-2). In a six-round super lightweight fight, Los Angeles fan favorite representing Mexicali, Mexico, Alejandro “Pinpon” Reyes (9-0, 5 KOs) will go up against Sedalia, Missouri’s Jose Zaragoza (9-6-1, 3 KOs). 

In a four-round super bantamweight match, San Diego’s Adan Palma (4-0, 4 KOs) will attempt to protect his prospect knockout streak against Anaheim’s Pedro Salome (3-1-2, 1 KO). Opening up the night, Westminster, Colorado’s Danny “Junebug” Garcia (3-0, 3 KOs) will fight in a four-round super featherweight bout against Barranquilla, Colombia’s Jonathan “Popeye” Perez (40-33, 32 KOs). 

Tickets for Rocha vs. Young are on sale and can be purchased at https://www.ticketmaster.com/ and https://www.goldenboypromotions.com/. 

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Rocha vs. Young is a 12-round welterweight fight for the NABO Welterweight Title presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Hard Hitting Promotions. Schofield vs. Machado is a 10-round fight for the vacant WBA International Lightweight Title presented by Golden Boy in association with Davies Entertainment. The fight night will take place on Saturday, January 28, live from YouTube Theater in Inglewood, CA and will be broadcast on DAZN worldwide.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and www.DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZNBoxing. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoy and https://www.facebook.com/DAZN. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy and @DAZNBoxing. Follow the conversation using #RochaYoung

Media interested in credentials can apply at https://bit.ly/RochavsYoungCredentials. Media applications are due EOD January 20, 2023. Credential decisions will be sent by EOD January 23, 2023.

About YouTube Theater

YouTube Theater is a 6,000-seat performance venue located at Hollywood Park, a near 300-acre sports and entertainment destination in Inglewood Calif., being developed by Los Angeles Rams Owner/Chairman E. Stanley Kroenke. The state-of-the-art theater is a 227,000 square foot, three-story indoor venue situated under the same roof canopy as SoFi Stadium and American Airlines Plaza. The venue can be configured to house three different crowd capacities, including intimate settings with minimum capacities of 3,400 and 4,400. Equipped with premium finishes throughout, the venue also offers guests both an interior and exterior balcony, luxury boxes, an industry room, and a private club with premium seats. Opened in August 2021, YouTube Theater is equipped to host a variety of events, including concerts, awards shows, esports competitions, community gatherings, conferences and more.