Alexis Rocha finds comfort in defeat as he prepares for Santiago Dominguez

Welterweight contender Alexis Rocha is raring to show that getting knocked down solely means you must get again up and take a look at tougher. Rocha, who was stopped by Giovani Santillan final October, returns to the ring to headline a particular version of Golden Boy Combat Night time on DAZN this Thursday (July 18) at Fantasy Springs Resort On line casino in Indio, California, the place he’ll face undefeated Santiago Dominguez in a 12-round primary occasion.

Regardless of the crushing defeat, Rocha (24-2, 16 KOs) stays optimistic, saying, “I’m grateful.” He has stayed lively since his defeat to Rashidi Ellis in October 2021, profitable seven straight fights earlier than being stopped by Santillan. Rocha rebounded by stopping Fredrick Lawson in March. 

“All people trains to win, no one trains to lose, and particularly the truth that I acquired knocked out – it was very powerful,” Rocha mentioned reflecting on his loss.

In his comeback battle, Rocha delivered a motivational speech on the press convention saying the battle card, drawing inspiration from podcasts and different audio system. 

“The inspiration actually has to return deep inside you to maintain transferring ahead and maintain your head up excessive,” he mentioned. “I knew that there have been going to be brighter days forward.”

Rocha hopes to encourage younger fighters, whether or not undefeated or not. 

“Boxing is only a lifestyle and everybody will get knocked down. It’s the way you choose your self again up,” Rocha mentioned.

Dominguez (27-0, 20 KOs), 32, from Ciudad Obregon, Mexico, is coming off a split-decision win over Jose Luis Sanchez in October. This battle marks his largest step-up in competitors. 

“Each coaching camp is all the time powerful,” Rocha admitted. “On daily basis you be taught one thing new about your self.”

Rocha, who received gold on the Junior Olympics at 14, goals to showcase his technical abilities. 

“I do kill myself generally within the health club,” Rocha mentioned. “I’ve realized to take it down and never go as exhausting as I did after I was 21, 22, as a result of I’m 27 now. Not that I’m saying I’m that outdated, however these years of continually punching the bag, sparring classes, having wars within the health club, they take a toll on you.”

Reflecting on his profession, Rocha acknowledged the influence of age and accidents. 

“You begin getting older and also you begin getting extra accidents. The older you get, the accidents begin to linger on,” he mentioned.

On this battle, Rocha plans to exhibit his battle intelligence. 

“Now I do know in these levels of my profession that everybody goes to be there to take a tough shot,” Rocha mentioned. “They’ll have conditioning. Now I’ve to inform myself it’s time to play good as a substitute of being aggressive.”