Jack Walsh
Alexis Rocha dominated Santiago Dominguez over ten rounds in a welterweight bout last night, winning a unanimous decision with scores of 99-91 (twice) and 98-92 to capture the vacant WBO-NABO championship.
In the main event at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California, Rocha's speed and consistent tenacity in the ring were too much for Dominguez to handle.
In the first two rounds, both fighters were on relatively good form, trading heavy punches, counters and hooks to the body in a fast-paced fight.
The third round seemed to be when the new and improved southpaw Rocha displayed his improved fighting style, boxing on the back foot and utilizing his jab to dodge and counter Dominguez to unsettle him.
Twice in the round, Dominguez claimed low blows that were actually body shots that slammed into the beltline, but Rocha continued to land a steady stream of damaging body shots throughout the bout, drawing Dominguez's occasional wince.
Rocha dominates Dominguez (Golden Boy)
Moving forward, Rocha controlled the pace and looked like an entirely different fighter, his constant combos and perfectly timed counters continuing to land in the middle and late rounds, as the 27-year-old never forced his way into the ring with his usual punches or fought against the ropes.
After the attack, Rocha rotated towards the center of the ring, fighting at an angle to get out of danger before Dominguez could apply pressure.
Dominguez was far from helpless in the ring, however, and struck Rocha several times throughout the 10-round bout.
It was clear that Rocha was looking to fight and box technically, not just trade blows, and he confirmed that to DAZN in his post-fight interview.
He also said he still believes a world title fight is on the horizon. This is Rocha's second win since a heartbreaking sixth-round loss to Giovani Santillan. In March, Alexis forced Frederick Lawson to withdraw before the eighth round.
Rocha (No. 9 in the WBO rankings) improved to 25-2 (16 KOs), while Dominguez (No. 11) fell to 27-1 (20 KOs) and suffered his first professional defeat.
