Because the countdown continues for the inaugural boxing occasion at YouTube Theater in Inglewood this Saturday, January 28, Santa Ana’s Alexis “Lex” Rocha (21-1, 13 KOs) hosted a press convention at the moment in Los Angeles forward of his NABO title protection in opposition to George “Purple Tiger” Ashie (33-5-1, 25 KOs) of Accra, Ghana. The 12-round fundamental occasion is introduced in affiliation with Star Boxing. Doorways to the venue will open at 3:00 p.m. PST, and the worldwide broadcast live on DAZN begins at 5:00 p.m. PST/ 8:00 p.m. EST.
Picture: Golden Boy Promotions / Cris Esqueda
Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions Oscar De La Hoya, Accomplice of Golden Boy and Corridor of Famer Bernard Hopkins, and several other of the Rocha vs. Ashie undercard fighters additionally participated.
That is what the contributors needed to say:
ALEXIS ROCHA, CURRENT NABO WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION:
“Mentally as a fighter – RIP to Kobe Bryant who handed away three years in the past – it’s important to have that ‘Mamba Mentality.’ It’s important to be prepared for anyone they put in entrance of you. If it’s you or George Ashie I’ve to arrange for it. I’ve to deal with what I can do.”
“Typically losses harm fighters however they’ll additionally encourage. They show you how to mentally. What can I say? Ghanians are robust however I’m Mexican, I’m simply as robust. Everyone seems to be at all times asking what I would like after this battle however I can’t take my eyes off of him. He has nothing to lose and all the things to realize. These are very harmful fighters. My thoughts doesn’t go previous the twenty eighth. My thoughts is targeted on him. Whoever they put in entrance of me I’ve to placed on a spectacular present. Maintain knocking on that door and the large names will comply with.”
GEORGE ASHIE, IBF CONTINENTAL AFRICA SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT TITLEHOLDER
“To start with I wish to thank God for this chance. I’ve been coaching on a regular basis for this chance. I’m an incredible fighter from Ghana and I’m going to point out that I’m again. I wish to show that to the followers.”
“I wish to thank Golden Boy Promotions and Star Boxing for this nice alternative. That is going to be Oscar De La Hoya vs. Ike Quartey II and this time it’s going to Ghana not Mexico. It’s going to be a battle. I wish to thank all of the followers in Ghana. I’ve this chance and I’m not going to let it slide out of my palms. These alternatives are life altering and I’m right here to remain.”
FLOYD SCHOFIELD, LIGHTWEIGHT PROSPECT:
“I put within the work to placed on a present so tune in. That is for me to show that I’m right here to remain. That is my division and I’m going to take over. All I can say is that I’m grateful for the chance,”
“It’s going to be an incredible battle. I wish to battle all of them. Anyone who has the belts like Haney, Davis and Ryan. I would like all the highest names. They’re in my means. They’re simply stepping stones. Once I see them it’s going to be all enterprise. I’m not going to present away the plan but it surely’s going to be a superb battle.”
ALBERTO MERCADO, LIGHTWEIGHT FIGHTER:
“I’m very joyful to be right here after not combating for thus a few years. I wish to thank God. I can’t let you know what’s going to occur this Saturday however I’m going to go off of what he [Floyd] does.”
“I’ve the expertise. I’ve seen this child. I do know he’s proficient, he’s younger and he’s bringing all of it on the desk. I bought supplied this battle again in September and I mentioned sure. I do know I’ve the expertise and also you’ll see this Saturday.”
BEK MELIKUZIEV, SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT PROSPECT:
“Hey everybody and thanks for coming. For me the precedence is that this battle, I’m solely concentrating on this Saturday and the man in entrance of me. If all the things goes effectively I need a rematch with Gabe Rosado.”
“My house is Uzbekistan, however right here within the U.S. my house is Indio, CA. It’s wonderful there. There are a lot of Mexicans there who like boxing and are very hardworking like us Uzbekistans. I’m wanting ahead to combating in Indio, CA. Thanks to everybody, we’re prepared. Gracias, Mexican Followers. Vamos!”
ULISES SIERRA, SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT PROSPECT:
“I don’t actually get too many alternatives on the large stage, so after they supplied this I needed to hop on. It’s going to be an thrilling battle.”
“Bek could be very aggressive and I’m anticipating him to deliver all the things. I’ll be there standing tall able to catch him between photographs. Thanks guys for the help. Tune in, it’s going to be a superb battle.”
OSCAR COLLAZO, MINIMUMWEIGHT CONTENDER:
“I dedicate this battle to all my followers, to all my Puerto Rican followers. I would like them to really feel pleased with me and I would like them to know that I’ve been working very laborious to turn into a world champion. I’m going to be a trainer come Saturday.”
YUDEL REYES, MINIMUMWEIGHT CONTENDER:
“I really feel excellent. Golden Boy supplied me this battle. I really feel tremendous calm and really ready for this battle and the preparation we had for this battle. Mexico vs. Puerto Rico have at all times been nice fights.”
OSCAR DE LA HOYA, CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS:
“Now we have began 2023 on a tremendous observe, with a tremendous accomplice like DAZN, bringing battle followers, particularly LA battle followers and all through California nice playing cards like this one on January 28. We wish to current battle followers with the most well liked new expertise.”
“YouTube Theater is a tremendous venue, there may be not a nasty seat in the home and might seat 5-6,000 individuals. This card is stacked, we’ve some robust fights, and we’re dedicated to the mission to deliver battle followers one of the best leisure.”
BERNARD HOPKINS, GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS PARTNER AND INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAMER:
“To Alexis and Bek who’ve a loss on their document: it’s not the way you begin, it’s the way you finish it. I began my skilled profession with a loss. And now I’m a Corridor of Famer.”
“We put the decision out. When the good fights occur, Golden Boy isn’t going to stay their chest out and say ‘see what we did,’ it’s going to be extra like ‘see what we mentioned’ – we mentioned that we wish to make one of the best fights occur.”
Rocha vs. Ashie is a 12-round welterweight battle for the NABO Welterweight Title introduced by Golden Boy Promotions in affiliation with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing. Schofield vs. Mercado is a 10-round battle for the vacant WBA Worldwide Light-weight Title introduced by Golden Boy in affiliation with Davies Leisure. The battle evening will happen on Saturday, January 28, dwell from YouTube Theater in Inglewood, CA and can be broadcast on DAZN worldwide.
