LOS ANGELES – Alexis Rocha is quickly evolving into a headlining attraction for Golden Boy Promotions. 

Rocha (23-1, 15 KOs) will be featured as the main event for his third straight show this year when he takes on Giovani Santillan (31-0, 16 KOs) on Saturday at the Kia Forum in Inglewood on DAZN. 

The Santa Ana-based welterweight is making strides with fans in Southern California, beating George Ashie in January at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood and Anthony Young in May at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio.

He’ll now look to further make his mark in the fabled arena of which his promoter Oscar De La Hoya made his pro debut over 30 years ago. 

“It means a lot to me that [De La Hoya and Golden Boy] are pushing me to be up there. They gave me the opportunity, and I have to seize it and move on to bigger things. I am ready for all of this. I'm coming up with the best game plan possible,” Rocha told BoxingScene.com in an interview. 

“I want to be active. Inactivity ruins a fighter. I want to thank Golden Boy for keeping me very active by headlining cards. What more could I ask for? I have to seize the opportunity.”

A sizable opportunity Rocha would be interested in is a fight against stablemate Ryan Garcia at 140 pounds, especially as he waits for the welterweight picture to unfold under undisputed champion Terence Crawfords’ reign. 

“Yeah, if I make it and go down to 140, maybe, perhaps [I’ll fight Garcia]. I just have to focus on myself and focus on what's ahead and all of the possibilities,” said Rocha. 

“I've been at 147 pounds my whole life. I don't think I am moving up. Possibly moving down if I take care of myself even better. I already do as it is.” 

The 26-year-old Rocha, a seven-year professional who’s only loss came to Rashidi Ellis in 2020, understands that he has to continue tallying wins against credible contenders in order to set him up with more attractive offers. 

“I'm a high-risk, low-reward threat,” said Rocha. “I don't have a big name on my record. I'm still breaking through the scene. There is not that much money behind me, yet, but I believe that's why [big names don't want to fight me].”

Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer, and broadcast reporter. He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, through email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com, or via www.ManoukAkopyan.com.