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Results from the Kia Forum Where Giovani Santillan KOed Alexis Rocha

INGLEWOOD, Ca.-San Diego’s Giovani Santillan powered through Santa Ana’s Alexis Rocha in a demonstrative performance before delivering a knockout win to rip the NABO welterweight title and win the battle of Southern California on Saturday.
It was expected to be a battle between southpaws with different styles but Santillan (32-0, 17 KOs) surprised Rocha (23-2, 15 KOs) and his legion of fans at the Kia Forum with a come forward take-no-prisoners attack.
It was surprising.
From the opening bell the usually nimble Santillan moved forward like a Sherman Tank and plowed Rocha with powerful chopping lefts and right hooks. Few jabs were used and Santillan had the look of a killer.
It must have surprised Rocha who is accustomed to being the hunter, not the prey. He seemed puzzled and out of sync by Santillan’s powerful assaults.
In the second round Santillan kept control with those chopping right hooks as Rocha fired blows to the body in attempt to slow the San Diego fighter down. It didn’t work.
For years Santillan fought as a mover and counter-puncher while effectively using his power shots behind strong jabs. Not on this night.
Rocha tried his best to regain control and force Santillan to take a backward step. But the San Diego fighter who fought for many years on Thompson Boxing shows in the Inland Empire was like a Sequioa Tree that refuses to bend from howling winds.
After showing repeated strong attacks, Santillan opened-up with even more blows in the fifth round. A 10-punch salvo featuring bludgeoning right hooks blasted Rocha to the floor to the surprise of the crowd. Rocha got up bloodied and dazed from the attack. The referee let the fight resume and Santillan walked back in a crouch to attack. Another seven-punch barrage that featured five successive right hooks blasted Rocha to the canvas again. Rocha got up almost angry and rallied toward the end of the round with his own attack. The round ended.
In the sixth round Santillan had that look of determination and waded in with a controlled look and attack. The San Diego fighter opened-up with repeated right hooks including an uppercut and down went Rocha. Referee Ray Corona did not bother to count as the fight was concluded at 1:13 of the sixth round.
“It was the fight I was looking for,” said Santillan. “He’s very tough.”
Female World Title
Southern California’s Gabriela Fundora (12-0, 5 KOs) used her six-inch height advantage to perfection in snatching the IBF flyweight world title from Mexico’s Arely Mucino (32-4-2, 11 KOs) by knockout.
After an explosive first round that saw both fire away toe-to-toe, a left cross counter by Fundora stunned Mucino who immediately retreated. That blow seemed to signal the fighter from Monterrey, Mexico to take a more cautious approach.
From the second round until the end Mucino tried to force her way into firing range but Fundora used her jab as a measuring stick. And when Mucino fired a power shot Fundora countered with long left missiles. They seldom missed.
In the fourth round Fundora went into attack mode and in the fifth she connected with a left and right hook that floored Mucino. She got up shaky and the fight resumed with Fundora unloading five more blows that sent Mucino careening into the ropes. Referee Jack Reiss ruled it a knockdown and while giving the count, Mucino’s corner signaled the fight to be stopped at 1:18 of the fifth round.
Fundora becomes the IBF flyweight world titlist.
Super Fly Eliminator
Super flyweight contender John “Scrappy” Ramirez (13-0, 9 KOs) patiently analyzed Panama’s Ronal Batista (15-4, 9 KOs) before unloading a speedy barrage that signaled the end was near in the third round.
In the fourth, Ramirez stalked and unloaded yet another blinding barrage and then targeted the body with a left hook and down went Batista. He beat the count but was met by another Ramirez blitz that delivered the Panamanian fighter back to canvas. Referee Jack Reiss did not bother to count as Batista grimaced in pain.
The fight was declared over at 2:33 of the fourth round as Ramirez wins the WBA super flyweight title eliminator by knockout.
“You got to stay patient and make adjustments,” Ramirez said.
Flyweights
Southern California’s Ricardo Sandoval (23-2, 16 KOs) out-dueled Tijuana’s Victor Sandoval (37-4, 23 KOs) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds in a flyweight battle.
The Tijuana fighter’s unorthodox style seemed to befuddle the Southern Californian for three rounds, Then he found his rhythm and both fighters traded rounds with Ricardo Sandoval seeming in a more comfortable firing position. The judges scored it 97-93 twice and 96-94 for Ricardo Sandoval.
Super Middleweights
Somebody’s O had to go. Sacramento’s undefeated Joeshon “Showtime” James (8-0-2, 5 KOs) floored Pennsylvania’s David Stevens (13-1, 9 KOs) twice and was about to score another knockdown when referee Jerry Cantu ended the super middleweight demolition.
Both fighters walked in with undefeated records but only James walked out after displaying power in both fists. A right counter wobbled Stevens early in the round and a left put him down. Steven got up and was whacked around and delivered to the canvas again by a right cross. Again Stevens got up but was assaulted again and defenseless. Cantu saved the fighter from further punishment at 2:52 of the first round.
Female Pro debut
Iyana “Right Hook Roxy” Verduzco (1-0) lived up to her name with repeated right hooks against Clarice Morales (0-3-1) and rolled to victory by unanimous decision in a bout that became more competitive in each round.
After showcasing her polished boxing skills, developed after a lengthy amateur career, the southpaw Verduzco changed tactics and displayed excellent spacing and a different attack. Morales soon tired of eating right hooks and began connecting solidly with lead right missiles. They connected but weren’t enough to offset Verduzco’s consistent pinpoint attacks.
After four rounds one judge scored it 40-36 and two others saw it 39-37 for Verduzco.
Photo credit: Al Applerose
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David Allen Bursts Johnny Fisher’s Bubble at the Copper Box

The first meeting between Johnny Fisher, the Romford Bull, and David Allen, the White Rhino, was an inelegant affair that produced an unpopular decision. Allen put Fisher on the canvas in the fifth frame and dominated the second half of the fight, but two of the judges thought that Fisher nicked it, allowing the “Bull” to keep his undefeated record. That match was staged last December in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, underneath Usyk-Fury II.
The 26-year-old Fisher, who has a fervent following, was chalked a 13/5 favorite for the sequel today at London’s Copper Box Arena. At the weigh-in, Allen, who carried 265 pounds, looked as if he had been training at the neighborhood pub.
Through the first four rounds, Fisher fought cautiously, holding tight to his game plan. He worked his jab effectively and it appeared as if the match would go the full “10” with the Romford man winning a comfortable decision. However, in the waning moments of round five, he was a goner, left splattered on the canvas.
This was Fisher’s second trip to the mat. With 30 seconds remaining in the fifth, Allen put him on the deck with a clubbing right hand. Fisher got up swaying on unsteady legs, but referee Marcus McDonnell let the match continue. The coup-de-gras was a crunching left hook.
Fisher, who was 13-0 with 11 KOs heading in, went down face first with his arms extended. The towel flew in from his corner, but that was superfluous. He was out before he hit the canvas.
A high-class journeyman, the 33-year-old David Allen improved to 24-7-2 with his 16th knockout. He promised fireworks – “going toe-to-toe, that’s just the way I’m wired” – and delivered the goods.
Other Bouts of Note
Northampton middleweight Kieron Conway added the BBBofC strap to his existing Commonwealth belt with a fourth-round stoppage of Welsh southpaw Gerome Warburton. It was the third win inside the distance in his last four outings for Conway who improved to 23-3-1 (7 KOs).
Conway trapped Warburton (15-2-2) in a corner, hurt him with a body punch, and followed up with a barrage that forced the referee to intervene as Warburton’s corner tossed in the white flag of surrender. The official time was 1:26 of round four. Warburton’s previous fight was a 6-rounder vs. an opponent who was 8-72-4.
In the penultimate fight on the card, George Liddard, the so-called “Billericay Bomber,” earned a date with Kieron Conway by dismantling Bristol’s Aaron Sutton who was on the canvas three times before his corner pulled him out in the final minute of the fifth frame.
The 22-year-old Liddard (12-0, 7 KOs) was a consensus 12/1 favorite over Sutton who brought a 19-1 record but against tepid opposition. His last three opponents were a combined 16-50-5 at the time that he fought them.
Also
In a bout that wasn’t part of the ESPN slate, Johnny Fisher stablemate John Hedges, a tall cruiserweight, won a comprehensive 10-round decision over Liverpool’s Nathan Quarless. The scores were 99-92, 98-92, and 97-93.
Purportedly 40-4 as an amateur, Hedges advanced his pro ledger to 11-0 (3). It was the second loss in 15 starts for the feather-fisted Quarless, a nephew of 1980s heavyweight gatekeeper Noel Quarless.
Photo credit: Mark Robinson / Matchroom
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Avila Perspective, Chap. 326: A Hectic Boxing Week in L.A.

The Los Angeles area is packed with boxing.
Japan’s Mizuki “Mimi” Hiruta, Ukraine’s Serhii Bohachuk, and the indefatigable Jake Paul are all in the Los Angeles area this week.
First, Hiruta (7-0, 2 KOs) defends the WBO super flyweight title against Argentina’s Carla Merino on Saturday May 17, at Commerce Casino. The 360 Boxing Promotions card will be streamed on UFC Fight Pass.
Voted Japan’s best female fighter, Hiruta faces a stiff challenge from Merino who traveled thousands of miles from Cordoba.
360 Promotions is one of the top promotions especially when it comes to presenting female prizefighting. Two of their other female fighters, Lupe Medina and Jocelyn Camarillo, will also be fighting on Saturday.
They are not only promoting female fighters. They have several top male champions including Bohachuk and Omar “Trinidad performing this Saturday.
Don’t miss this show at Commerce Casino.
“This card is one of the deepest cards we’ve promoted in Southern California which has been proven by the rush for tickets and the wealth of media interest. Serhii, Omar and Mizuki are three of the top fighters in their respective weight classes and it’s a great opportunity for fans to see a full night of action,” said Tom Loeffler of 360 Promotions.
Jake and Chavez Jr. in L.A.
Jake Paul took time off from training in Puerto Rico to visit Los Angeles to hype his upcoming fight against former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. next month.
“The fans have wanted to see this, and I want to continue to elevate and raise the level of my opponents,” said Paul, 28. “This is a former world champion, and he has an amazing resume following in his dad’s footsteps.”
Paul, who co-owns Most Valuable Promotions with Nakisa Bidarian, last staged a wildly successful boxing card that included Amanda Serrano versus Katie Taylor and of course his own fight with Mike Tyson.
It set records for viewing according to Netflix with an estimated 108 million views.
Paul (11-1, 7 KOs) is set to face Chavez (54-6-1, 34 KOs) in a cruiserweight battle at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. on June 28. DAZN pay-per-view will stream the Golden Boy Promotions and MVP fight card that includes the return of Holly Holm to the boxing world after years in MMA.
No one should underestimate Paul who does have crackling power in his fists. He is for real and at 28, is in the prime of his boxing career.
Yes, he is a social influencer who got into boxing with no amateur background, but since he engaged fully into the sport, Paul has shown remarkable improvement in all areas.
Is he perfect? Of course not.
But power is the one attribute that can neutralize any faults and Paul does have real power. I witnessed it when I first saw him in the prize ring in Los Angeles many years ago.
Chavez, 39, the son of Mexico’s great Julio Cesar Chavez, is not as good as his father but was talented enough to win a world title and hold it until 2012 when he was edged by Sergio Martinez.
The son of Chavez last fought this past July when he defeated former UFC fighter Uriah Hall in a boxing match held in Florida. He has been seeking a match with Paul for years and finally he got it.
“I need to prepare 100%. This is an interesting fight. It might not be easy, but I’m going to do the best I can to be the best person I am, but I think I’m going to take him,” said Chavez.
Paul was not shy about Chavez’s talent.
“This is his toughest fight to date, and I’m going to embarrass him and make him quit like he always does,” said Paul about Chavez Jr. “I’m going to expose and embarrass him. He’s the embarrassment of Mexico. Mexico doesn’t even claim him, and he’s going to get exposed on June 28.”
Also on the same fight card is unified cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (47-1, 30 KOs) who defends the WBA and WBO titles against Yuniel Dorticos (27-2, 25 KOs).
In a surprising addition, former boxing champion Holm returns to the boxing ring after 12 years away from the sport. Can she still fight?
Holm (33-2-3, 9 KOs) meets Mexico’s Yolanda Vega (10-0, 1 KO) in a lightweight fight scheduled for 10 rounds. Holm is 43 and Vega is 29. Many eyes will be looking to see the return of Holm who was recently voted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Wild Card Honored by L.A. City
A formal presentation by the Los Angeles City Council to honor the 30th anniversary of the Wild Card Boxing Club takes place on Sunday May 18, at 1:30 p.m. The ceremony takes place in front of the Wild Card located at 1123 Vine Street, Hollywood 90038.
Along with city councilmembers will be a number of the top first responder officials.
Championing Mental Health
A star-studded broadcast team comprised of Al Bernstein, Corey Erdman and Lupe Contreras will announce the boxing event called “Championing Mental Health” card on Thursday May 22, at the Avalon Theater. DAZN will stream the Bash Boxing card live.
Among those fighting are Vic Pasillas, Jessie Mandapat and Ricardo Ruvalcaba.
For more information including tickets go to www.555media.com/tickets.
Fights to Watch
Sat. UFC Fight Pass 7 p.m. Mizuki Hiruta (7-0) vs Carla Merina (16-2).
Thurs. DAZN 7 p.m. Vic Pasillas (17-1) vs Carlos Jackson (20-2).
Mimi Hiruta / Tom Loeffler photo credit: Al Applerose
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Sam Goodman and Eccentric Harry Garside Score Wins on a Wednesday Card in Sydney

Australian junior featherweight Sam Goodman, ranked #1 by the IBF and #2 by the WBO, returned to the ring today in Sydney, NSW, and advanced his record to 20-0 (8) with a unanimous 10-round decision over Mexican import Cesar Vaca (19-2). This was Goodman’s first fight since July of last year. In the interim, he twice lost out on lucrative dates with Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue. Both fell out because of cuts that Goodman suffered in sparring.
Goodman was cut again today and in two places – below his left eye in the eighth and above his right eye in the ninth, the latter the result of an accidental head butt – but by then he had the bout firmly in control, albeit the match wasn’t quite as one-sided as the scores (100-90, 99-91, 99-92) suggested. Vaca, from Guadalajara, was making his first start outside his native country.
Goodman, whose signature win was a split decision over the previously undefeated American fighter Ra’eese Aleem, is handled by the Rose brothers — George, Trent, and Matt — who also handle the Tszyu brothers, Tim and Nikita, and two-time Olympian (and 2021 bronze medalist) Harry Garside who appeared in the semi-wind-up.
Harry Garside

Harry Garside
A junior welterweight from a suburb of Melbourne, Garside, 27, is an interesting character. A plumber by trade who has studied ballet, he occasionally shows up at formal gatherings wearing a dress.
Garside improved to 4-0 (3 KOs) as a pro when the referee stopped his contest with countryman Charlie Bell after five frames, deciding that Bell had taken enough punishment. It was a controversial call although Garside — who fought the last four rounds with a cut over his left eye from a clash of heads in the opening frame – was comfortably ahead on the cards.
Heavyweights
In a slobberknocker being hailed as a shoo-in for the Australian domestic Fight of the Year, 34-year-old bruisers Stevan Ivic and Toese Vousiutu took turns battering each other for 10 brutal rounds. It was a miracle that both were still standing at the final bell. A Brisbane firefighter recognized as the heavyweight champion of Australia, Ivic (7-0-1, 2 KOs) prevailed on scores of 96-94 and 96-93 twice. Melbourne’s Vousiuto falls to 8-2.
Tim Tsyzu.
The oddsmakers have installed Tim Tszyu a small favorite (minus-135ish) to avenge his loss to Sebastian Fundora when they tangle on Sunday, July 20, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Their first meeting took place in this same ring on March 30 of last year. Fundora, subbing for Keith Thurman, saddled Tszyu with his first defeat, taking away the Aussie’s WBO 154-pound world title while adding the vacant WBC belt to his dossier. The verdict was split but fair. Tszyu fought the last 11 rounds with a deep cut on his hairline that bled profusely, the result of an errant elbow.
Since that encounter, Tszyu was demolished in three rounds by Bakhram Murtazaliev in Orlando and rebounded with a fourth-round stoppage of Joey Spencer in Newcastle, NSW. Fundora has been to post one time, successfully defending his belts with a dominant fourth-round stoppage of Chordale Booker.
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