Welterweight Alexis Rocha (21-1, 13 KOs), 25, of Santa Ana, California, will face Anthony “Juice” Younger (24-2, 8 KOs), 34, of Atlantic Metropolis, New Jersey, within the DAZN essential occasion on Jan. 28 (8 p.m. ET), Golden Boy Promotions introduced on Friday.
The cardboard will kick off Golden Boy’s 2023 schedule and would be the first boxing present on the new 6,000-seat YouTube Theater, which is a part of the SoFi Stadium advanced in Inglewood, California.
‼️JUST ANNOUNCED‼️@AlexisRocha777 headlines the 👉 1st ever boxing occasion👈 at @youtubetheater on 1/28 and can defend his NABO welterweight title 🆚 @juice_money11.
Additionally on the cardboard:⭐ @KidAustin11⭐ Puerto Rico’s Oscar Collazo⭐ and @BMelikuziev
🎟️ on sale 1/11 #RochaYoung pic.twitter.com/4Odk3JUAPr
— Golden Boy (@GoldenBoyBoxing) January 6, 2023
Initially, junior welterweight star Ryan Garcia was speculated to face Mercito Gesta in the principle occasion of a Golden Boy card on Jan. 28 as a warm-up for a deliberate April 15 showdown with Gervonta “Tank” Davis, however when Garcia opted to forego the bout and watch for the large combat, Golden Boy nonetheless needed to placed on a present with many fighters to maintain lively. In the end, Golden Boy was capable of work issues out with DAZN for a brand new essential occasion whereas additionally discovering a venue.
“Jan. twenty eighth marks my first combat of 2023 and a combat that can set the stage for my greatest 12 months but,” Rocha stated. “I’ve patiently labored to succeed in the purpose of being the principle occasion on a serious card and now I’m right here. 2022 offered its challenges, as I needed to overcome a hand damage, nevertheless it made me stronger. I can’t wait to begin the 12 months with a knockout victory”
Younger accepted the combat earlier this week.
“I’m simply grateful for the chance to carry out on this platform,” Younger stated.
Within the co-feature, blue-chip light-weight prospect Floyd Schofield (12-0, 10 KOs), 20, of Austin, Texas, will face Alberto Mercado (17-4-1, 4 KOs), 34, of Puerto Rico, in a 10-rounder.
Additionally on the principle card:
· Puerto Ricans Oscar Collazo (5-0, 3 KOs), 25, and former WBO strawweight titlist Wilfredo “Bimbito” Mendez (18-2, 6 KOs), 26, will sq. off in a WBO title eliminator.
· Tremendous middleweight Bektemir “Bully” Melikuziev (10-1, 8 KOs), 26, an Uzbekistan native based mostly in Indio, California, will face an opponent to be decided in a 10-rounder.
