By Ken Hissner: At Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California, Saturday over DAZN, Oscar De La Hoya (Golden Boy Promotions) presented in the Main Event WBO NABO Welterweight champion Alexis “Lex” Rocha stopped Anthony “Juice” Young in 5 lopsided rounds. In the Co-Main Event, WBO World Minimum champion Melvin “Gringo” Jerusalem was upset and stopped by Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo.
In the Main Event, WBO NABO southpaw Welter champ Alexis “Lex” Rocha, 23-1 (15), #146.5, of Irvine, CA, stopped Anthony “Juice” Young, 24-3 (8), #146.5 of Atlantic City, NJ, at 2:15 of the fifth round of a scheduled ten rounds.
In the first round, near the end of a minute, Rocha rocked Young with a right hook on the chin. With just over a minute remaining, Rocha rocked Young with a straight left on the chin. In the third round, several times, Rocha almost had Young down from power punch.
In the fourth round’s final minute, Rocha hurt Young to the body, continuing a beating round after round. In the fifth round, a solid left on the chin from Rocha and down went Young for an 8-count. Upon rising, referee Thomas Taylor wisely called a halt.
Co-Main Event WBO World Mini champ Melvin “Gringo” Jerusalem, 20-3 (12), #104.6, of Manolo Fortich Bukidnon, PH, was upset and stopped by southpaw 2019 Pan Am Gold Medalist Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo, 7-0 (5), #105.0, of Villalba, PR, after six rounds in a scheduled 12 rounds.
In the second round, Jerusalem landed many rights causing swelling under the left eye of Collazo. In the third round, Jerusalem landed several rights on the chin, getting the attention of Collazo. In the fourth round, Collazo came back well enough to take the round.
In the fifth round, Collazo landed effective punches with numerous straight left hands from the southpaw who rocked Jerusalem midway. In the sixth and seventh rounds, Collazo hurt Jerusalem to the body throughout both rounds. In the corner, referee Ray Corona brought in the ring physician to check Jerusalem, who called a halt to the fight in favor of Collazo.
In the co-feature Light Fly Oscar Duarte Jurado, 26-1-1 (21), #135, of Parral, Chihuahua, MEX, stopped a gutsy D’Angelo “King” Keyes, 17-3 (11), #134.2, of Houston, TX, after six rounds of a scheduled ten rounds.
In the first round, Keyes came out with a strong jab in the first minute of the round. Jurado took over after that, landing power punches hurting Keyes in the final 30 seconds with a right on the chin. Halfway through the round a right from Jurado on the chin from Jurado dropped Keyes for an 8-count from Referee Jerry Cantu.
In the fourth round, with forty seconds remaining, Jurado rocked Keyes with a right on the chin, hurting him. Referee Cantu took a good look at stopping it but let it go on. In the sixth round, the gutsy Keyes toughed it out, though, losing another round to Jurado.
In the sixth round, with ten seconds remaining, a left hook from Jurado on the chin dropped Keyes for an 8-count from referee Cantu. After the fight, the referee brought in the ring physician, who called a halt.
Super Fly John “Scrappy” Ramirez, 12-0 (8), #114.6, of L.A., CA, won a close, if not disputed, split decision over Fernando “Leoncito” Diaz, 12-4-1 (4), #114.8, of Bloomington, CA, over ten rounds.
In the first two rounds, Diaz dominated with his jab. In the next two rounds, Ramirez came back using his speed of hand. In the fifth round, Diaz showing more power, came back well.
In the seventh round, Ramirez used his movement and an effective jab to outland Diaz. In the eighth round, Diaz showed he had more power offsetting the jabs of Ramirez.
In the ninth round, with a little over a minute remaining, Diaz landed a flurry of punches having Ramirez against the ropes. In the tenth and final round, was all action in a close round Diaz seemed to have an edge. Referee Thomas Taylor. The fans were not happy with the decision.
Scores were 96-94 Ramirez, 96-94 Diaz and 96-94 Ramirez, and 96-94 Diaz KH.