Connect with us

Featured Articles

Avila Perspective, Chap. 256: Rocha vs Santillan, Showtime’s Oversight and More

Published

on

Avila-Perspective-Chap-256-Rocha-vs-Santillan-Showtime's Oversight-and-More

A pair of Southern California pugilists Alexis Rocha and Giovani Santillan meet in the prize ring in LA this weekend. They represent a countless number of aspiring fighters who begin their journeys in small gyms in search of glory.

Santa Ana’s Rocha (23-1, 15 KOs) and San Diego’s Santillan (31-0, 16 KOs) are two who have emerged at the top and meet for the NABO welterweight title at the KIA Forum on Saturday, Oct. 21. DAZN will stream the Golden Boy Promotions card.

Southern California is the heart and soul of boxing. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

It began around 1999 when Oscar De La Hoya began selling out arenas and accepting fights against any challenger who could make big bucks. Champions like Ike Quartey, Felix Trinidad, Shane Mosley, Fernando Vargas and Bernard Hopkins eagerly accepted.

The boxing boom was on.

From maybe two dozen or so gyms in the 1980s, Southern California grew to surpass more than 100. The gyms dot the landscape like a swarm of angry bees. No other place in the world has as many gyms. In every SoCal neighborhood there are youngsters that think they can be the next De La Hoya.

With those 100-plus gyms come thousands of prospects and after years of battling with each other it comes down to Rocha and Santillan. The winner between these two will move on against the top welterweights in the world.

It’s a numbers game.

Will it be Rocha or Santillan who moves to another level to fight Errol Spence Jr., Jaron Ennis, Mario Barrios, Josh Taylor or Cody Crowley? It’s a weight division saturated with many of the best fighters of any weight division.

Santillan and Rocha are both southpaws, but they are uniquely different in their abilities.

Rocha, 26, is ranked number 1 by the WBO and prefers to use his skills to dissect and then bludgeon foes with a relentless two-fisted attack.

“We both knew this fight would come one day. We’re knocking on the door for title contention. He’s ready. I’m ready,” said Rocha about Santillan.

Santillan, 31, is ranked number 5 by the WBO and uses a more scientific approach looking to score points and create openings with his jab and movement. He can counter effectively and has power.

“I plan on making a statement. I’m finally getting a chance to show the world who I am as the main event at the Kia Forum,” said Santillan.

Incidentally, unlike in previous years, both fighters have different promoters. Santillan is backed by Top Rank and Rocha by Golden Boy. During the pandemic the two rival promoters began working with each other.

No More Showtime

Sadly, Showtime Boxing will cease to exist. Everyone has put their two cents on why it failed after four decades. It’s difficult to pinpoint.

The one promotion company that worked strongly with Showtime was Premier Boxing Champions which has TGB Promotions as the operational company.

One glaring omission on their fight shows was the lack of women prizefighting. Not one female bout was ever shown on a PBC or TGB fight card televised by Showtime. Those ShoBox cards sure could have used the help. It was not Stephen Espinoza’s fault. His hands were tied.

DAZN, on the other hand, almost always has female bouts whether on its Matchroom Boxing cards or Golden Boy. And lately, Top Rank has entered the female fight game too with ESPN.

It truly would have helped Showtime to have female boxing as new attractions. When Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor demolished Shakur Stevenson and Oscar Valdez in head-to-head competition in April 2022, that was the wake-up call.

DAZN in England

Two top super lightweights clash in Liverpool, England.

England’s Jack Catterall (27-1, 13 KOs) meets former champion Jorge Linares (47-8, 29 KOs) of Venezuela on Saturday Nov. 21, for a shot at the world title. It’s a crackerjack matchup. DAZN will stream the Matchroom Boxing card.

Catterall knows what he’s getting into.

“He’s been a three-time world champion, I would never look past this fight or disrespect Jorge,” said Catterall. “I think he understands that the winner of this fight puts themselves in the picture for much bigger fights.”

Linares lobbied for this fight.

“I’m coming off three losses but I don’t think about that, I know I’m in with a great fighter but I’ve been here before,” said Linares, whose losses were Devin Haney and two others in Russia.

Fights to Watch

Sat. DAZN 11 a.m. Jack Catterall (27-1) vs Jorge Linares (47-8).

Sat. DAZN 5 p.m. Alexis Rocha (23-1) vs Giovani Santillan (31-0); Arely Mucino (32-3-2) vs Gabriela Fundora (11-0).

Photo credit: Al Applerose

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

 

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Advertisement
Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Results-and-Recaps-from-New-York-Where-Taylor-edged-Serrano-Once-Again
Featured Articles16 hours ago

Results and Recaps from New York Where Taylor Edged Serrano Once Again

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

From-a-Sympathetic-Figure-to-a-Pariah-The Travails-of-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr
Featured Articles5 days ago

From a Sympathetic Figure to a Pariah: The Travails of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Catterall-vs-Eubank-Ends-Prematurely-Catterall-Wins-a-Technical-Decision
Featured Articles7 days ago

Catterall vs Eubank Ends Prematurely; Catterall Wins a Technical Decision

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Paro
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Avila-Perspective-Chap-333-Jake-Paul-JC-Chavez-Jr-Zurdo-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 333: Jake Paul, JC Chavez Jr, Zurdo and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

When-Boxing-Was-Big-on-the-Fourth-of-July-A-TSS-Classic
Featured Articles1 week ago

When Boxing was Big on the Fourth of July: A TSS Classic

Avila-Perspecrive-Chap-334-Back-to-Back-Boxing-Cards-in-the-Big-Apple
Featured Articles2 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 334: Back-to-Back Boxing Cards in the Big Apple

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Results-and-Recaps-from-New-York-Where-Taylor-edged-Serrano-Once-Again
Featured Articles16 hours ago

Results and Recaps from New York Where Taylor Edged Serrano Once Again

Philadelphia-Welterweight-Gil-Turner-a-Phenom-Now-Rests-in-an-Unmarked-Grave
Featured Articles1 day ago

Philadelphia Welterweight Gil Turner, a Phenom, Now Rests in an Unmarked Grave

Avila-Perspecrive-Chap-334-Back-to-Back-Boxing-Cards-in-the-Big-Apple
Featured Articles2 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 334: Back-to-Back Boxing Cards in the Big Apple

From-a-Sympathetic-Figure-to-a-Pariah-The Travails-of-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr
Featured Articles5 days ago

From a Sympathetic Figure to a Pariah: The Travails of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr

Catterall-vs-Eubank-Ends-Prematurely-Catterall-Wins-a-Technical-Decision
Featured Articles7 days ago

Catterall vs Eubank Ends Prematurely; Catterall Wins a Technical Decision

Avila-Perspective-Chap-333-Jake-Paul-JC-Chavez-Jr-Zurdo-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 333: Jake Paul, JC Chavez Jr, Zurdo and More

When-Boxing-Was-Big-on-the-Fourth-of-July-A-TSS-Classic
Featured Articles1 week ago

When Boxing was Big on the Fourth of July: A TSS Classic

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

Mexico's-Francisco-Rodriguez-Jr-is-the-TSS-Fighter-of-the-Month-for-June
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez Jr is the TSS Fighter of the Month for June

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Holly-Holm-Joshua-Edwards-and-Rene-Alvarado-Sparkle-on-the-Paul-Chavez-Undercard
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Holly Holm, Joshua Edwards, and Rene Alvarado Sparkle on the Paul-Chavez Undercard

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Paro
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending