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<ul class="summary-list"><li>Emerging boxer Alexis Rocha told Insider his life story.</li><li>As a kid who battled child obesity, and flirted with wannabe SoCal gangsters, boxing saved his life.</li></ul>SANTA ANA — Police chased teenagers into a youth club on South Center Street in Santa Ana, California, after reports of gunfire in broad daylight weeks before Insider met emerging boxing contender Alexis Rocha, 25, at his home gym."That kid has been shot, he's been shot, and him too," coach Hector Lopez told Insider, pointing at various students, as his star pupil 'Lex' sweated buckets in the ring.A photograph of a younger Rocha is pinned to the turnbuckle. It's there as motivation — a reason to fight.Rocha once battled childhood obesity. He remembers finishing his lunch at school one day, turning to the girl at his side, and asking if he could finish her food. "No," she told him. "Why not?" He said. "Because you're fat," she said.At his heaviest, Rocha said he weighed 205-pounds as a 5-foot-4, 12-year-old kid. He was bullied. He's never forgotten how he felt when that girl at lunch called him fat."Kids are cruel nowadays," Rocha told us.<div type="image" title="Alexis Rocha as a 12-year-old kid." height="618" width="825" msid="95171975" hostid="261" sizebytes="54166"></div>'Lex' then made friends with the wrong crowd. "Cholos," he said, were rife in his hood. He hung out and drank with wannabe gangsters who got into fights. Before long, he was fighting, too.Being called a fatass was beginning to sting. And he saw older "Cholos" graduate into fully-fledged thugs before dying at 17 or 18 years old.There were two paths he could have gone down and he didn't like either. "I've got to get my shit together," he said to himself before he even turned 13.Rocha didn't know it at that time but boxing was about to save his life.<h2>'Lex' was a natural ass-kicker</h2><div type="image" title="Alexis Rocha fighting." height="1333" width="2000" msid="95171976" hostid="261" sizebytes="160104"></div>Rocha didn't have to look far to get his shit together as he had two older brothers who were boxing fanatics.Ronny Rios was already a pro fighter in his own right, little more than a decade away from challenging for world championship belts.His other brother Salvador Rios "would always go travel and fight," Rocha told Insider. "I was forced to see them box. I used to hate it because I was bored out of my mind."Hate, though, gradually turned to love.Through his brothers, he met boxing coach Hector Lopez who runs the TKO Boxing Club in Santa Ana as a non-profit.Rocha knew what it was like inside a fighting gym, and saw how fit and strong some of the fighters there were, including Ronny and Sal. So he went to Lopez's TKO gym himself, looking to lose the weight he had piled on through inactivity, video games, and eating for fun."My intentions were never to box — just to strictly lose weight," Rocha said.Lex's father was rarely there for Rocha when he was growing up, and his mother worked double shifts cleaning houses during the day, going home to cook for the kids, before starting an evening shift cleaning office blocks.With nobody to take him to the gym, he'd run the 2.5-mile distance there, do his workout, and run back home.Few were more interested in Rocha's progress than Lopez, who had been astutely watching Lex lose 45-pounds in a matter of months."Hey," Lopez took Rocha aside one day, when he was shy of his 13th birthday. "You're gonna spar."Rocha got stunned pretty bad in the third round of his first session. He got cracked with a hard shot that snapped his head back, and though he didn't drop to the floor, everything went black. He eventually recovered and beat the kid up pretty good. Knowing Rocha could handle himself at a young age, Lopez started pushing Lex harder. The coach got his young fighters to huddle together, told them they've got a boxing event coming up, and said they should get ready to compete. "Lex, we're gonna fight in two weeks," Lopez told Rocha. "You have to weigh 145-pounds."Rocha's eyes widened. He only ever wanted to box to lose weight and be around his brothers. He contemplated telling Lopez that fighting wasn't for him. "But something in my heart told me, 'Damn, I'm going to stick to it'."So Rocha dropped to 144-pounds — the lightest he'd been for years — and made his amateur debut against an opponent who had already had five bouts, weighed 151-pounds, and was 16 years old.The fight went even better than his first spar as a 13-year-old Rocha won in style, enraging the opponent's team, and prompting cheers from his family and friends at ringside."I remember when I had my hand raised, I told myself that if I stick to boxing, I could possibly go places," Rocha said.Within six months he was going places — winning district titles, progressing to the national stage, and winning a title thereafter only eight fights.All of a sudden the bullying stopped.<h2>Lopez became a father figure to Lex</h2><div type="image" title="Alexis Rocha and Hector Lopez." height="1333" width="2000" msid="95171977" hostid="261" sizebytes="72564"></div>A young Rocha was yearning for an older male figure — something he didn't get from his dad."He didn't want to know," Lopez told Insider.Rocha would send his father tickets to see his fights early on but his dad never showed up on the night. "It hurt," Lex told us. "It hit me pretty hard."He said: "I was kind of addicted to working out, losing weight, and fighting. Maybe it was a little bit of my fault if I pushed him away. I love my dad no matter what but he's never been consistently supportive of me like my mom has, or Hector has."When Rocha signed with Golden Boy Promotions, he begged his dad to turn up for his pro debut. "Please show up," he told him, handing his father a ticket. But he never did.Rocha has gotten closer to his father through the years. His dad finally saw him box in front of a big, pro-Lex crowd in 2021. "He told me he never felt so proud of me when people were cheering my name." But in Lopez, he found someone who was always there."He's definitely a father figure, a good mentor," Rocha said. "He's someone that I've looked up to, you know, for pretty much my whole life. He treated me like a son, gave me good advice about being strict with money, and investing."<h2>Golden Boy has high hopes for Rocha</h2><div type="image" title="Oscar de la Hoya." height="1333" width="2000" msid="95171978" hostid="261" sizebytes="90704"></div>From the outside looking in at Golden Boy Promotions, it might be easy to assume that the company's future success rests on the exploits of young studs like Ryan Garcia, Vergil Ortiz Jr., and Jaime Munguia.But from the inside looking out, having spoken to founder Oscar de la Hoya, company president Eric Gomez, and renowned matchmaker Roberto Diaz, Insider understands they're also putting great stock in Rocha.It is something Rocha knows himself. That, really, there's an awesome, young, foursome ready to burst onto the world title scene from Golden Boy HQ. Rocha regards himself on par with his three other young and hungry stablemates."I know I can fight, and that's the thing that's gonna really make you advance," he said.Rocha is on a run, and is riding the high of saving a Golden Boy show earlier this year when he and Blair Cobbs stepped up to headline the show after Ortiz was forced to withdraw citing injury.Thousands of fans screamed for Rocha and he delivered with a thumping finish of Cobbs.In July, he outpointed Luis Alberto Veron at the Crypto.com Arena — LA's marquee venue — and he now fights Jesus Camps on Saturday at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego on DAZN.Though Rocha is no longer hanging around with the wannabe gangsters and has lost more weight than he ever needed to, he's still motivated to dedicate his life to boxing, he said. "I try to be the best role model and gentleman that I possibly can be," Rocha told us. "Especially to these kids," he said, gesturing to his coach's other students."A lot of these kids look up to me because they have the same backstory I had, coming from a broken home, or when I was chubby" or around that "Cholo" life in Santa Ana. "So I just try to give them the best advice I possibly can."Rocha's stock meanwhile continues to rise. He's no longer the chubby kid but a tough, strong, warrior gunning for Campos, and yearning for a bout against Golden Boy stablemate Ortiz — one of the biggest bouts DAZN can broadcast; a true SoCal spectacle.To get to that stage, with what he hopes would be world championships on the line, he has to do one thing."I have to just keep going in there and breaking these guys' souls."Judging from the way he's been fighting recently, few should bet against him doing precisely that.

How boxing saved emerging contender Alexis Rocha's life

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="13407948" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="alexis-rocha" source="Orion">Alexis Rocha</keyword> produced the performance of his career as he gave <keyword id="13407947" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="blair-cobbs" source="Orion">Blair Cobbs</keyword> a beatdown Saturday.</li><li>Cobbs talked a big game throughout the promotion but Rocha did his talking in the ring.</li></ul>LOS ANGELES — The matchmaking of <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/blair-cobbs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Blair Cobbs</a> and <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/alexis-rocha" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alexis Rocha</a> promised a strong co-main event to Saturday's Golden Boy Promotions card at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, when it was confirmed earlier this month.But when knockout puncher Vergil Ortiz Jr. was taken to hospital for an overnight stay Monday, the welterweights were pushed into the headlining slot.They had talked a good game throughout March, particularly Cobbs — who consistently tells fans and media that he's a great one.Rocha, quieter but not shy of confidence, told Insider this week that he'll instead do his talking in the <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/boxing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">boxing</a> ring.But, really, Rocha wasn't just talking — he was screaming, and fighting, his ass off.In Ortiz's absence there was tremendous pressure on Rocha, and/or Cobbs to show that they belonged on the big show.Neither disappointed. Cobbs was his all-charisma in the build-up. But in the fight, it was Rocha's night as the Santa Ana fighter produced the performance of his lifetime, electrifying the California crowd.Rocha took control of the fight in the second quarter of the 10-round bout. He let his fists go with greater venom, cracking Cobbs' skull with shots that rocked his head back in the final seconds of the third.In the fifth, a straight left hand that Cobbs never saw coming landed so accurately and so powerfully that it knocked all of the sweat off of his face, which Rocha took as an invitation to leather his opponent with a combination of punches hurled from all angles.Rocha banked round after round and it always looked like he had another level to go. He could sense Cobbs was there for the taking.In the eighth, another heavy left hand sent Cobbs into the corner. Rocha, to his credit, never took a moment to admire his handiwork, and instead sent follow-up blow after follow-up blow until Cobbs wilted.See the eighth-round knockdown right here:There were body shots, headshots, and all of Cobbs' dipping and ducking was rendered almost pointless as Rocha seemed hellbent on sending him packing.And he sent him packing in the ninth as the referee had seen enough, awarding Rocha the knockout victory he deserved.<div type="image" title="Alexis Rocha beat Blair Cobbs on Saturday." height="1333" width="2000" msid="90331454" hostid="261"></div>With a statement-making beatdown, Rocha advanced his pro boxing record to 19 wins (13 knockouts) against one defeat.Cobbs suffered the first defeat of his career, and saw his record fall to 15 wins (10 knockouts) against one loss and one draw.Watch the full highlights right here:

Alexis Rocha produced a career-best performance to humble Blair Cobbs with a ninth-round beatdown

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Resurging welterweight <keyword id="13407948" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="alexis-rocha" source="Orion">Alexis Rocha</keyword> returns to the ring Saturday against <keyword id="13407947" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="blair-cobbs" source="Orion">Blair Cobbs</keyword>.</li><li>The fighter spent five weeks sparring and training alongside Manny Pacquiao last year.</li></ul>LOS ANGELES — The 23-year-old boxer Alexis Rocha was once "starstruck" when sparring with former eight-weight <keyword id="11922196" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="boxing" source="Orion">boxing</keyword> champion and sporting icon <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/manny-pacquiao" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Manny Pacquiao</a>.Rocha trained alongside Pacquiao as the veteran trained to fight <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/errol-spence-jr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Errol Spence Jr.</a>, before the undefeated American sensation eventually withdrew from the bout due to a retinal tear in his left eye.A rising southpaw phenom at the time, Rocha spent five weeks at the famed Wildcard Boxing Club in central Hollywood last year.In the fourth week, Rocha wanted to get a memento to remember his time with one of boxing's greatest combatants."I went to give him a poster that I took, of me and him, after sparring. We had our gear on. It is on my Instagram. I printed it out, and I give it to him to sign and he's like, 'Oh wow,' so he signs it," Rocha told Insider this week.Pacquiao saw that Rocha had a second printout of the same picture, and so he asked Rocha to sign that one.Rocha was confused at the request. "Can I sign it?" he asked Pacquiao, who said yes.Pacquiao then thanked Rocha, put the autographed picture in his bag, and kept it — a memento of his own.Rocha says he learned a lot from training with Pacquiao."It's crazy, the aura that he carries," Rocha told us. "He's literally an icon, a living legend."My first day when I walked in, there was around 40 people in the room — and it's a small room. Wildcard is very small. And I saw this bench, which was cleared with like 15 of his people, people were standing up."I couldn't really warm-up. I had to like go in the back, a small space, warm-up and stretch out, because it was really crowded in there."But once you walk in, it's like, everyone almost bowed down. They were like, 'He's here!' Clapping."He continued: "Manny Pacquiao is such a nice guy, an extremely hard worker, and I admire him for everything he's done in the sport. To this day, he's still so humble."On what fighters can learn from Pacquiao, Rocha said: "He's just so relaxed. I feel like every fighter should be like that. Be relaxed, have fun with it, and enjoy the whole process."When I saw Manny Pacquiao, he was enjoying the entire process, and he's been doing it for 25 years professionally, maybe more. You need to have fun in this sport."<h2>Rocha hopes to have fun in the Golden Boy Promotions main event Saturday, on DAZN</h2>Rocha returns to the ring for a fight of his own Saturday against <a href="https://www.insider.com/blair-cobbs-wants-to-instigate-boxing-rivalry-with-jaron-ennis-2022-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Blair Cobbs</a> at the Galen Center in Los Angeles.Their welterweight contest was originally scheduled to provide chief support to Vergil Ortiz Jr.'s bout against Michael McKinson in the same weight class.However, <a href="https://www.insider.com/vergil-ortiz-posts-a-statement-after-staying-overnight-in-hospital-2022-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ortiz withdrew from the show after spending a night this week in the hospital with rhabdomyolysis</a>, and so the Cobbs-Rocha bout was promoted to main event status.Riding the high of back-to-back knockout wins means "momentum is there" for Rocha, who is aware Cobbs is an "undefeated, good, and strong opponent."But Rocha says he is feeling ready and learned a valuable lesson from the sole loss of his career — sustained in 2020, when he came unstuck on points to Rashidi Ellis.That lesson was to become unburdened by pressure, to throw caution to the wind, and always let his punches fly."I hate losing," Rocha said. "But once you have that mentality of not wanting to lose, of being cautious in there, it shows in the ring."It showed through the whole night by not letting my hands go [against Ellis]. So what I learned from it was to believe in myself, follow my heart, and not hold back, really."So, is the pressure off in a potentially high-pressure fight, atop the Golden Boy Promotions on DAZN event Saturday?"Definitely," he said. "I feel like I've been having a lot more fun, and I'm looking to have fun Saturday night."The DAZN broadcast begins 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

23-year-old boxer Alexis Rocha was once 'starstruck' training and sparring Manny Pacquiao

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="13407947" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="blair-cobbs" source="Orion">Blair Cobbs</keyword> is critical of fellow Philadelphia fighter <keyword id="13407949" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="jaron-ennis" source="Orion">Jaron Ennis</keyword>.</li><li>For Cobbs, Ennis hasn't faced a real challenge. Cobbs wants to change that by fighting him next.</li></ul>LOS ANGELES — Charismatic fighter Blair Cobbs is looking to instigate a <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/boxing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">boxing</a> rivalry with <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/jaron-ennis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jaron Ennis</a>.Cobbs returns to the ring Saturday for a welterweight fight with <keyword id="13407948" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="alexis-rocha" source="Orion">Alexis Rocha</keyword> at the Galen Center in Los Angeles.The bout was supposed to provide chief support to <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/vergil-ortiz" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vergil Ortiz Jr.</a>'s match against Michael McKinson. But when Ortiz Jr. <a href="https://www.insider.com/vergil-ortiz-posts-a-statement-after-staying-overnight-in-hospital-2022-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">was hospitalized this week</a> with rhabdomyolysis and withdrew from the show, Cobbs and Rocha were promoted to the main event.The way DAZN boxer Cobbs talks, it will be the first main event of many.Ennis is a knockout puncher impressing fans on Showtime, but he may well get in Cobbs' way, as the 32-year-old hunts championships and stardom.Cobbs confronted his fellow Philadelphia native at a <keyword id="11922196" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="boxing" source="Orion">boxing</keyword> event last October. And has spoken about the fear he sensed in Ennis that day ever since."The idea that Blair 'The Flair' still exists haunts people like Ennis, why? Because before Ennis was anything, they looked up to me, and I was destroying Philadelphia in a dramatic fashion," Cobbs told Insider this week."And so just the fact that I still exist, is a big problem. Because he might not be seeing those world titles for a little bit, until Blair 'The Flair' is finished. It's just what it is."Ennis fights Rocha atop the Golden Boy Promotions card this weekend and is envisioning victory before securing world title bouts, and star-making fights.<h2>Fighters like Ennis, Cobbs argues, aren't seemingly interested in fighting 'real competition'</h2><div type="image" title="Jaron Ennis boxing" height="1000" width="2000" msid="90297561" hostid="261"></div>"I got my targets on 'championship status' and 'make a star status,' and if they [Ennis] happen to get in the way, I will situate their career right real quick," Cobbs said."The thing is, he's acting as if he's so much better, and everything like that. What happens when I pass him up? That can happen real fast. And then Blair 'The Flair' is a star."Like, you don't sell tickets. Blair 'The Flair' sells tickets. You're not a star. Blair 'The Flair' is a star. And I came to you, like a man, in front of all your fans, and called you out," Cobbs continued."Why? Because you really didn't face anybody. You ain't faced no real competition. And he's like, not now? So when will it be good for you to face real competition? When you're already fighting for a world title?"I think people are too caught up on, one, being undefeated, and two, not facing any real opposition until, finally, they get to a world title."Cobbs fights Rocha on a DAZN broadcast that begins Saturday at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

Charismatic fighter Blair Cobbs looks to instigate a boxing rivalry with fellow American Jaron Ennis

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Blair 'The Flair' Cobbs returns to the ring for his biggest test Saturday in Los Angeles.</li><li>The American boxer talks a big game, and it could spectacularly backfire.</li></ul>LOS ANGELES — When <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/blair-cobbs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Blair Cobbs</a> walks into a room, he woos and barks, "the champ is here!"It is big talk from a boxer who has yet to compete in a world championship contest, let alone win one.But if there is one thing Cobbs is known for, it's commanding the attention of people, media, and executives. He likes to entertain.On Saturday, March 19, Cobbs is thrust into the headlining fight of Golden Boy's <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/boxing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">boxing</a> event at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, competing against <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/alexis-rocha" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alexis Rocha</a>.But not only does Cobbs want to entertain in the ring, he wants to win, become a star, and win world titles.Cobbs, an unbeaten boxer, is walking a fine rope.Keep winning, and he will elevate his name value far beyond the marketing roadblocks he'd have encountered had he not been born with an in-your-face attitude.Lose — or worse, get knocked out in brutal fashion — and he becomes a <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/boxing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">boxing</a> meme for the ages.<h2>Cobbs occasionally breaks character to show his human side</h2><div type="image" title="Blair Cobbs is a charismatic fighter looking to break through as a mainstream star." height="1000" width="1500" msid="90313981" hostid="261"></div>Away from the stage and away from the flashes of cameras, Cobbs sometimes breaks character.His backstory involves flirtations with poverty, and he's been close to crime as his father was on the FBI's Most Wanted list for drug trafficking. Eugene Cobbs fled, with the family, to Mexico. When Eugene was caught, young Blair returned to the US and began <keyword id="11922196" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="boxing" source="Orion">boxing</keyword>.Cobbs talks in the third person. "Blair 'The Flair' does not represent one culture," he tells Insider. "Blair 'The Flair' represents all culture. Blair 'The Flair' wants to be the people's champion."He has said multiple times about getting out of his comfort zone. It's why he joined Freddie Roach's Wildcard Boxing Club and stayed there, even though he was barely winning one round of sparring in his first few days in Hollywood. Now, he claims to barely lose a round.But is there anything in boxing that can really put him out of his comfort zone, intimidate him, or scare him when he saw and heard the things he did growing up?"No!" He laughs at the question. "Not really! When God is with you. Nothing can be against you. I'm a shot in the dark."Is there anything in life that scares or intimidates Cobbs? "Not too much," he said, before thinking more about the subject, and elaborating."Yeah, actually. We have crazy politics, wars going on, and financial disparity between cultures. I've been in the midst of everything," he said. "I've been rich. I've been poor. I've been homeless. I've been on the streets."I've built myself up and learned what it takes to be an entrepreneur. And I learned how to fight, and not just in the ring but in life when it comes to depression, anxiety, and mental toughness."Suddenly, Blair 'The Flair' stopped speaking in the third person and talked like Cobbs, the human.So how does Cobbs deal with those darkest moments, those born from enduring a tough childhood?"I take time out to be with my creator, in nature. Where I live, I live in Malibu, right? That place I live used to be a rehabilitation center for people who used to be strung out on drugs, alcohol — you name it. They were there."It's a place for healing and growth. I overcame many struggles. Sometimes you have a fight, and you're not even a fighter."Fighting small things that become big things in your head, like depression. Depression and mental health are serious issues, and I hope people take it more seriously, especially when it comes to men."<h2>Cobbs is a hard worker, according to Freddie Roach</h2><div type="image" title="Blair Cobbs has his hands wrapped by coach Freddie Roach." height="1333" width="2000" msid="90313982" hostid="261"></div>According to Freddie Roach, who is accustomed to big personalities, having coached dozens of world champions, MMA fighters, and celebrities from his Wildcard Boxing Club, Cobbs is "a hard worker.""He talks a lot," Roach told Insider. "But he talks a lot, anyway. That's just him."Roach expects a resounding win for his fighter on the grandest stage he's fought."He's definitely ready for this fight," said Roach. "Both guys have gotten Manny Pacquiao ready for fights, and have been good sparring partners for him along the way."I think this is a very good fight. I think Blair is probably a little bit of a better puncher, and that's why I like him to win by knockout Saturday night."Cobbs sees his weekend opponent Alexis Rocha as "a good fighter, a top contender."He said: "He's going to come to fight and will want to bang until I shut him down."Cobbs then said he'll be interested to find out how Rocha responds to being hit hard in the face. He thinks Rocha anticipates Cobbs to fight like a rabbit in the ring."You know, I am a rabbit. But I happen to be a rabbit with a gun. Ain't nothing worse than chasing a rabbit with a gun," he said.Both Cobbs and Roach are expecting a statement win Saturday.Beyond that, they want championships."I want the best," Roach said. "We want the world champions. And Golden Boy has to give us a shot at the world championship. Bring anyone of them on."Cobbs, too, is concentrating on reaching "championship status" and competing in fights that make him a star.If he fights anyway like he talks, becoming a star will only be a matter of time.

Blair Cobbs is walking boxing's tight-rope: Win, and he backs up his big talk. Lose, and he becomes a meme

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="13419529" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="alex-rincon" source="Orion">Alex Rincon</keyword> scored a thumping, second-round knockout win Saturday.</li><li>He then appeared to collapse after his win, but did not seem to need medical attention.</li></ul>LOS ANGELES — Disturbing scenes unfolded at a <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/boxing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">boxing</a> event Saturday as Alex Rincon delivered a spectacularly violent knockout win against Luis Sanchez, and then appeared to collapse shortly after.An unbeaten boxer from Dallas, Texas, Rincon destroyed Sanchez in the second round of their middleweight fight that took place on the preliminary section of the Golden Boy Promotions show at the Galen Center, Los Angeles.Rincon had Sanchez on the floor twice and, really, the bout could have been waved off after the first knockdown as the hammer of a right-handed punch was so brilliant and effective that a winner had seemingly been declared there and then.Despite Sanchez staggering around the ring and needing far more than a customary 10 seconds to continue <keyword id="11922196" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="boxing" source="Orion">boxing</keyword>, the referee allowed him to continue.It was a strange decision as he offered no resistance to two milder follow-up shots — punches that Sanchez needlessly took.Sanchez returned to the floor — this time for good. The referee started counting but, again, Sanchez was completely off-balance when he returned to his feet. He was in no fit state to continue. It was all over.Watch the finish right here:Only, it wasn't all over.Though Rincon was triumphant and advanced his unbeaten pro boxing record to 10 wins (seven knockouts), he appeared to collapse in his corner after the victory.He did not seem to faint, or require too much medical attention, but it was concerning to see from press row.Earlier in the Golden Boy Promotions card, emerging <a href="https://www.insider.com/video-miguel-gaona-scored-30-second-ko-said-not-surprised-2022-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">star prospect Miguel Gaona stole the show with a blistering 30-second knockout win over super lightweight opponent Gilberto Aguilar</a>.Ramla Ali bulldozed through Shelly Barnett, Dalis Kaleiopu beat Manuel Lara late in the fourth round by knockout, and John Ramirez overcame Roberto Pucheta after six rounds by decision.Elsewhere, Alejandro Reyes, who <a href="https://www.insider.com/alejandro-reyes-uses-canelo-blueprint-to-ensure-success-in-boxing-2022-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Insider profiled earlier this week after speaking to the youngster and his coach Jose Saucedo</a>, earned the seventh win of his career by defeating Daniel Evangelista Jr.The Golden Boy event on DAZN was topped by a main event featuring charismatic welterweight <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/blair-cobbs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Blair Cobbs</a> and emerging rival Alexis Rocha.Knockout puncher <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/vergil-ortiz" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vergil Ortiz Jr.</a> was due to headline the show but spent Monday night in hospital because of rhabdomyolysis.In a statement upon the start of his recovery, <a href="https://www.insider.com/vergil-ortiz-posts-a-statement-after-staying-overnight-in-hospital-2022-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ortiz said "things could have been worse."</a>

American puncher Alex Rincon destroyed middleweight opponent Luis Sanchez at Golden Boy event Saturday

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="13392801" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="vergil-ortiz" source="Orion">Vergil Ortiz</keyword> Jr.'s upcoming fight against Michael McKinson on Saturday has been canceled.</li><li>Ortiz has been taken to hospital because of rhabdomyolysis.</li></ul>LOS ANGELES — Rising power puncher <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/vergil-ortiz" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vergil Ortiz Jr</a>., 23, has reportedly been taken to hospital for rhabdomyolysis — a serious medical condition that can be fatal, <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/rhabdo/default.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to the CDC</a>.The CDC says the condition, sometimes called rhabdo, is the breakdown of damaged muscle "which results in the release of muscle cell contents into the blood."It added: "The proteins and electrolytes released into the blood can cause organ damage."Amongst other causes, physical exertion is listed as a risk factor for rhabdo. It can lead to seizures, nausea and vomiting, permanent disability, and even death."Vergil is recovering well in hospital and is expected to make a full recovery," a Golden Boy statement sent Tuesday to Insider said.Golden Boy founder and CEO, Oscar de la Hoya, who was celebrated in his previous career as a championship-winning boxer, said: "We wish Vergil a very quick and speedy recovery."He added: "As fighters, our first instinct is to fight whatever we have and tough it out. It takes a lot of courage to admit that something is wrong and get the care that you need."Ortiz was scheduled to box Michael McKinson in the main event of Saturday's <keyword id="11922196" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="boxing" source="Orion">boxing</keyword> event at the 10,000 capacity Galen Center in Los Angeles.However, the bout has been canceled.Vergil Ortiz Sr. who trains his son said Vergil Jr. "was dropping weight too fast for me. That's when I knew something was wrong," <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNRingside/status/1503902279237206017" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to ESPN Ringside</a>."He just seemed like he was off balance. He wasn't himself. I thought maybe he had something on his mind."He could have almost died with this stuff. His kidney and liver were starting to go down. We caught it at the right time," Ortiz Sr. finished.It is unclear if the rest of the event will go ahead as planned, but Blair Cobbs and Alexis Rocha's welterweight bout could get elevated to main event status.McKinson's representative, <a href="https://twitter.com/Leeeaton88/status/1503849778601504768" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lee Eaton of MTK Global, tweeted Tuesday</a> that he hopes Golden Boy's matchmaker Roberto Diaz is able to find his fighter a replacement opponent to fight on the same card this weekend.McKinson is also keen to fight.As for when Ortiz may box again, de la Hoya said: "We are confident that we will be seeing Vergil in the ring again very soon."

Rising boxer Vergil Ortiz Jr. has withdrawn from Saturday showdown after being taken to hospital

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="13419741" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="bektemir-melikuziev" source="Orion">Bektemir Melikuziev</keyword> launched a seemingly unstoppable knockout body shot in his fight Saturday.</li><li>Punches like the ones Bek 'The Bully' threw are a reminder of how painful <keyword id="11922196" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="boxing" source="Orion">boxing</keyword> can be.</li></ul>LOS ANGELES — Resurging light heavyweight boxer Bektemir Melikuziev obliterated a 41-fight veteran <keyword id="13419742" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="david-zegarra" source="Orion">David Zegarra</keyword> with a single shot to the body Saturday at the Golden Boy Promotions event that was broadcast on DAZN.A World Amateur Championship and Olympic silver medalist, Melikuziev entered the pro <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/boxing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">boxing</a> game in 2019 with great acclaim but came unstuck when teak-tough Philadelphian fighter Gabriel Rosado knocked him out in the third round of a 2021 bout.The Uzbek climbed back up the rankings by outpointing Sergei Ekimov in his home country at the end of the year, and upon his return to the US this week, won in style with a punch that looked hideously painful.Footage shows the precise shot that did the damage — a left hand that Bek 'The Bully' lasered into Zegarra's midsection.It is yet another brutal reminder for how devastatingly painful body shots can be.Shots like the one Melikuziev threw can end a fight in an instant, as they make the victims simply writhe around on the floor.Or, in Zegarra's case, remain on one knee with all the fight beaten out of him."Everything feels good and this went like I expected it to go," said Melikuziev after the fight, in a statement sent to Insider.He added that he is now targeting one thing and one thing only: "The only thing on my mind is a re-match with Gabe Rosado."Watch Melikuziev's finish right here:With victory, Melikuziev advanced his pro boxing record to nine wins (seven knockouts) against one loss.Earlier in the evening, American puncher <a href="https://www.insider.com/video-alex-rincon-scores-2-knockdowns-in-boxing-win-saturday-2022-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alex Rincon destroyed middleweight opponent Luis Sanchez before appearing to collapse</a> after the win.Emerging <a href="https://www.insider.com/video-miguel-gaona-scored-30-second-ko-said-not-surprised-2022-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">star prospect Miguel Gaona stole the show with a blistering 30-second knockout win over super lightweight opponent Gilberto Aguilar</a> near the start of the card.Ramla Ali bulldozed through Shelly Barnett, Dalis Kaleiopu beat Manuel Lara late in the fourth round by knockout, John Ramirez overcame Roberto Pucheta after six rounds by decision, and Alejandro Reyes, who <a href="https://www.insider.com/alejandro-reyes-uses-canelo-blueprint-to-ensure-success-in-boxing-2022-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Insider profiled earlier this week after speaking to the youngster and his coach Jose Saucedo</a>, earned the seventh win of his career by defeating Daniel Evangelista Jr.The Golden Boy event on DAZN was topped by a main event featuring charismatic welterweight <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/blair-cobbs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Blair Cobbs</a> and emerging rival Alexis Rocha.Knockout puncher <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/vergil-ortiz" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vergil Ortiz Jr.</a> was due to headline the show but spent Monday night in hospital because of rhabdomyolysis.In a statement upon the start of his recovery, <a href="https://www.insider.com/vergil-ortiz-posts-a-statement-after-staying-overnight-in-hospital-2022-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ortiz said "things could have been worse."</a>

Bektemir Melikuziev's latest knockout is a painful reminder of how devastating body shots can be

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="13419340" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="miguel-gaona" source="Orion">Miguel Gaona</keyword> scored a lightning-fast finish in his second pro <keyword id="11922196" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="boxing" source="Orion">boxing</keyword> bout Saturday in Los Angeles.</li><li>The youngster beat his opponent Gilberto Aguilar like he owed him money.</li></ul>LOS ANGELES — 23-year-old boxer Miguel Gaona scored a 30-second knockout Saturday, and said after his win that he wasn't even surprised that he wasn't surprised at the thumping finish.It all went down during the preliminary section of the Golden Boy Promotions event held at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, broadcast on DAZN.Gaona is a <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/boxing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">boxing</a> novice who had only one pro fight to his name before he swung fists at super lightweight opponent Gilberto Aguilar for a four-round bout.But the burgeoning prospect showed few signs of inexperience as he essentially bullied and bludgeoned his way to a grueling victory after a somewhat patient and methodical start.Gaona stepped forward and measured the distance to Aguilar with pawing shots before unloading with a merciless attack when he had backed his opponent into the corner.Gaona mixed his attack up with head shots and body blows and it seemed like the latter left Aguilar in a heap on the floor, unable — or unwilling — to continue.Watch the knockout right here:In a statement sent to Insider, Gaona, who advanced his pro boxing record to two wins (one knockout) with the finish, said: "I am not surprised by the early knockout.Later, Insider saw Gaona fraternizing with friends and fans near press row, and he barely had a scratch on him."This is what we trained for," he said. "[I'm] just happy we were able to get it done early."Elsewhere on the card, Elsewhere on the preliminary card, Dalis Kaleiopu beat Manuel Lara late in the fourth round by knockout, John Ramirez overcame Roberto Pucheta after six rounds by decision, and Ramla Ali scored a second-round finish over Shelly Barnett in a featherweight scrap.<keyword id="13413118" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="alejandro-reyes" source="Orion">Alejandro Reyes</keyword>, who <a href="https://www.insider.com/alejandro-reyes-uses-canelo-blueprint-to-ensure-success-in-boxing-2022-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Insider profiled earlier this week after speaking to the youngster and his coach Jose Saucedo</a>, earned the seventh win of his career by defeating Daniel Evangelista Jr.See the climactic end to the bout right here:Reyes called the six-round decision win "a great experience" in a post-fight statement sent to Insider."It was a tough fight and we knew that coming in," he said. "I had to listen to my corner. We made the adjustments that we needed to as the fight progressed."He was a tough fighter. He had a lot of experience. It was a great learning experience and thank God we got the job done."The Golden Boy event on DAZN was topped by a main event featuring charismatic welterweight <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/blair-cobbs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Blair Cobbs</a> and emerging rival Alexis Rocha.Knockout puncher <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/vergil-ortiz" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vergil Ortiz Jr.</a> was due to headline the show but spent Monday night in hospital because of rhabdomyolysis.In a statement upon the start of his recovery, <a href="https://www.insider.com/vergil-ortiz-posts-a-statement-after-staying-overnight-in-hospital-2022-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ortiz said "things could have been worse."</a>

A 23-year-old scored a thumping 30-second knockout Saturday, and said after he wasn't even surprised

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="13392801" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="vergil-ortiz" source="Orion">Vergil Ortiz</keyword> Jr. spent Monday night in a hospital, he said this week.</li><li>The 23-year-old knockout puncher was supposed to headline a Los Angeles event Saturday.</li></ul>LOS ANGELES — Undefeated knockout boxer <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/vergil-ortiz" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vergil Ortiz Jr.</a> released a statement Tuesday saying he stayed overnight in a hospital and regretted withdrawing from his fight Saturday.The 23-year-old welterweight is one of the most promising young fighters in combat <keyword id="11893855" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="sports" source="Orion">sports</keyword> as he has a ferocious record of 18 knockouts from 18 wins and remains unbeaten.He was scheduled to return to the ring against Michael McKinson, who is also an undefeated boxer, on March 19 at the Galen Center in Los Angeles.However, the bout fell apart this week due to <a href="https://www.insider.com/vergil-ortiz-jr-taken-to-hospital-withdraws-from-saturday-bout-2022-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ortiz's hospitalization for rhabdomyolysis</a>.<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/rhabdo/default.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The CDC describes the condition</a>, sometimes called rhabdo, as the breakdown of damaged muscle "which results in the release of muscle cell contents into the blood."It added: "The proteins and electrolytes released into the blood can cause organ damage."Among other causes, physical exertion is listed as a risk factor for rhabdo, which can lead to seizures, nausea and vomiting, permanent disability, and even death."Vergil is recovering well in hospital and is expected to make a full recovery," a Golden Boy statement sent Tuesday to Insider said.Vergil Ortiz Sr., who trains his son, said Vergil Jr. "was dropping weight too fast for me. That's when I knew something was wrong," <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNRingside/status/1503902279237206017" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to ESPN Ringside</a>."He just seemed like he was off-balance. He wasn't himself. I thought maybe he had something on his mind."He could have almost died with this stuff. His kidney and liver were starting to go down. We caught it at the right time," Ortiz Sr. finished.<h2>Ortiz Jr. said they received attention for the condition 'on time'</h2>Ortiz Jr. said he was "sorry and disappointed" to have withdrawn from Saturday's showdown.He said: "Camp was going great, I was doing very good in sparring and training in general. But for the last two weeks, I didn't feel like myself."Being the fighter that I am, I tried toughing it out, but when it's your own body fighting against you there's little you can do."Luckily my dad was also able to tell I wasn't right and took me to the doctor," he said. "We ran some tests and the doctor concluded that I had rhabdomyolysis."I was hospitalized [Monday] and had to stay overnight. It could've been a lot worse, and I'm thankful that we caught it on time. I am very sorry if I let you guys down believe me if there was a hair of a chance of me fighting, I would be."In a separate tweet, he apologized to McKinson, saying: "I'm sure you trained your ass off. We're just fighting trying to provide for our family. I hope you still get the chance to fight."As for McKinson, it appears a replacement opponent is being sought, so that the event can be salvaged.Juan Carlos Salgado, who has not fought since 2018, could be propelled into the show, pending commission review, <a href="https://www.boxingscene.com/juan-carlos-salgado-tabbed-replace-vergil-ortiz-jr-versus-michael-mckinson-under-commission-review--164807" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to Boxing Scene</a>.Blair Cobbs and Alexis Rocha, who fight in the co-main event, could have their bout promoted to main event status.The show, for now, goes on.

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American puncher Alex Rincon destroyed middleweight opponent Luis Sanchez at Golden Boy event Saturday

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