By Ronnie Nathanielsz

WBO Oriental bantamweight champion Michael Domingo is schjeduled to fight Nestor Rocha at the Morongo Casino & Spa in Cabazon, California on November 21.

Domingo is currently training at the Mayweather Gym in Las Vegas along with WBO. No. 1 ranked super bantamweight Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista who will fight dangerous Heriberto Ruiz on the undercard of the Paul Malignaggi-Ricky “Hitman” Hatton IBO light welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on November 22.

The 26 year old Rocha who has a record of 20-1 with 7 knockouts was supposed to face WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa on two occasions in the past but both times the fight was called off.

Rocha who stands 5’7” is coming off a second round TKO victory over Javier Cintron last September 26 after earlier scoring a ten round unanimous decision over Jose Angel Beranza.

Rocha faced Filipino Sherwin Manatad and won a ten round unanimous decision in Tokyo on January 15, 2005 after dropping Manatad in the first round. He has fought in Japan three times and won all his fights there.

Fight Beat reported that  Rocha has been known for his skills and abilities in the ring, and until now, no fighter has proved otherwise.  

He is  seeking a world title and believes that Golden Boy Promotions will put him on track for that crown against the best champions.

Rocha, who has fought most of his fights in the US, has always been known as a good fighter with a lot of talent, and through the years he has backed it up repeatedly. 

Young Michael Aldeguer said the fight details were conveyed to him by Golden Boy Promotions vice president and international matchmaker Eric Gomez and that he was leaving along with trainer Edmund Villanmor for Las Vegas on November 16 so he could work the corner of Domingo along with longtime Cebu resident Tony Martin since Edito “Ala” Villamor was concentrating on Bautista who is scheduled to fight Ruiz the following day.

Domingo has a record of 37-14-2  with 16 knockouts but his record is deceiving since most of his losses came when he was being badly mismanaged and not looked after. From the time he moved to the ALA Gym of respected boxing patron Tony Aldeguer things have changed for Domingo.

So much so that celebrated trainer Freddie Roach believes Domingo has the potential to become a world champion. His stunning upset over undefeated prospect Miguel Roman who had a record of 22-0 with 16 knockouts on August 11, 2007 in a six round shutout proved the likeable, soft-spoken Filipino has the talent.

His 9th round  TKO win over former WBO world champion Ratanachai Sor Vorapin to win the WBO Oriental title last September 14 added to his resume.  Domingo had previously scored a 2nd round TKO over Thailand ’s Thepnimit Sor Chitpattana on April 6 before scoring an even more impressive 2nd round knockout over strong and highly fancied Indonesian Rivo Rengkung.

Domingo is 29 and will be giving away around three or four inches in height in his battle with Rocha.