Terence Crawford vs. Alexis Rocha - WBO Ordered

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Crawford-Rocha: WBO Formally Orders Welterweight Title Fight; Talks Already Underway

A prior meeting between Oscar De La Hoya and Terence Crawford has now come to light.

Boxing Scene has confirmed that talks are ongoing for a WBO mandatory title fight in the welterweight division between Crawford as the defending champ and number-one ranked challenger Alexis Rocha. The sanctioning body has now done its part to help expedite matters, having formally ordered the fight on Monday.

Please be advised that the parties herein have twenty (20) days upon issuance of this notice to negotiate and reach an agreement for the above-referenced WBO Welterweight Mandatory Championship Contest,” WBO Championship Committee chairman Luis Batista-Salas informed both parties via official letter. “If an accord is not reached within the timeframe stated herein, a purse bid will be ordered per the WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests.

“The minimum acceptable bid in the WBO Welterweight Division is $200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Dollars). Any of the parties involved may request a purse bid procedure at any time during the negotiation process.”

The maximum purse split would be 75/25 in Crawford’s favor should it go to a bid, though a deal is expected to be reached long before the March 19 deadline.

Crawford (39-0, 30 KOs) became a promotional free agent following his November 2021 knockout win over Shawn Porter, which marked his final fight with Top Rank. The two parted ways shortly thereafter, with their decade-long relationship ending on bitter terms as well as an ongoing lawsuit filed by Crawford last January. The case is currently with the Clark County courts.

The lawsuit has not interrupted Crawford’s career, though inactivity has not been his friend. The 36-year-old switch hitter from Omaha, Nebraska became a three-division titlist following a June 2018 ninth-round knockout of unbeaten Jeff Horn to win the WBO welterweight title.

Just six title defenses have followed in more than four years as champ, including a sixth-round knockout of David Avanesyan last December 10 in his Omaha hometown. The event headlined a BLK Prime Pay-Per-View, though as a one-off between Crawford and the rookie promotional outfit which is already on the verge of exiting the business.

Rocha (22-1, 14 KOs)—a 25-year-old southpaw from Santa Ana, California—has won six straight since he suffered the lone blemish of his career, a points loss to Rashidi Ellis in their October 2020 battle of unbeaten welterweights. Most notable among Rocha’s current win streak was a ninth-round knockout of then-undefeated Blair Cobbs last March 19 in Los Angeles.

Golden Boy Promotions representatives met with Crawford during fight week leading into Rocha’s seventh-round knockout of Ghana’s George Ashie on January 28 at YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California. BS.com has learned that among the topics discussed were a potential title defense versus Rocha as well as a multi-fight promotional deal. A potential pact reached between the two would also include an attractive matchup with unbeaten welterweight contender Vergil Ortiz, Jr. (19-0, 19 KOs). Of course, such a fight would be contingent upon Crawford beating Rocha and Ortiz getting past and dethroning WBA 'Regular' welterweight titlist Eimantas Stanionis currently scheduled for April 29 in Arlington, Texas.

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Alexis Rocha Embraces Possibility of Facing Terence Crawford Next

Alexis Rocha fully embraced all pre-fight talk regarding a potential future showdown with Terence Crawford.

It’s a conversation he is more eager to revisit as he plans his next fight, which he prefers to come sooner rather than later—and preferably with the WBO welterweight titlist standing in the opposite corner.

On Monday, the World Boxing Organization officially ordered Crawford to make a mandatory defense against Rocha.

“I’m knocking on that door to challenge Crawford,” Rocha told BS.com. “It’s inevitable.”

The writing was on the wall even before his January 28 knockout win of Ghana’s George Ashie at YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California. Rocha—who proudly represents nearby Santa Ana—scored a spectacular seventh-round knockout of the otherwise overmatched journeyman, who was brought in as a late replacement for an injured Anthony Young.

The fight was a perceived mismatch to the point of the most common talking points centering on his one day challenging Crawford (39-0, 30 KOs). It made sense given Rocha’s lofty ranking, as he is now the number-one contender to the title following his sixth consecutive win.

There is concern that the 25-year-old southpaw can stand to develop more as a contender. That argument is countered with the mentality that there is no time like the present.

“I won’t know if I’m ready until I’m actually in the ring with him,” Rocha noted. “If Golden Boy tells me he’s my next fight, of course I’ll be cool with that. I’m a young fighter who is here to fight the best.”

Boxing Scene has knowledge of ongoing talks for such a fight (Golden Boy representatives and Rocha all declined comment on that development). Whenever that day comes, Rocha vows to be ready to rise to the occasion.

“My job is to fight the best, beat the best and become one of the best,” stated Rocha. “I want to change my life and my family’s life.”

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Rocha won his last fight, he called for the Crawford shot. A week later, Bud was pictured with ODLH and Hopkins.

We knew this was coming. Just a matter of WBO ordering it.

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Looks like Bud's next fight will be on DAZN.

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Personally I don't think Rocha is ready for Bud.

He does have advantages over Bud, but Bud has that different ability.

[DrDuke]

Does he really get paid for this more than he could achieve against Spence, even with some concessions?

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Does he really get paid for this more than he could achieve against Spence, even with some concessions?

Of course this.

This just means he gets to keep the WBO abet longer

[DrDuke]

Does he really get paid for this more than he could achieve against Spence, even with some concessions?

Of course this.

This just means he gets to keep the WBO abet longer

Even if he recieves more than for the potential matchup vs Spence, the opportunities in a case of a win over Spence definitely will surpass everything. You can't achieve the best without taking risks.

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Does he really get paid for this more than he could achieve against Spence, even with some concessions?

Of course this.

This just means he gets to keep the WBO abet longer

Even if he recieves more than for the potential matchup vs Spence, the opportunities in a case of a win over Spence definitely will surpass everything. You can't achieve the best without taking risks.

he was guaranteed $3.5m+ per fight on his ESPN contract.

That's a nice income to not fight the top elites.

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Chances are Rocha might get a step aside.

“I’m told that Terence Crawford has no interest in fighting Alexis Rocha, and that he still wants to fight Errol Spence next,” said Mike Coppinger to ESPN+.

“I actually spoke to Errol Spence this week directly to try and get this moving along.

“Him and Spence agreed on a purse split that they agreed is fair, and they’re going to try and get this done now and hammer it out. Team Crawford sent a term sheet over to the other side.

“Do I think it happens? No, I don’t. I think we’re going to see Errol Spence go through with the Keith Thurman fight, and then maybe Terence Crawford will have to fight Alexis Rocha to keep his title.

“But there are still efforts being made by Crawford. He wants the fight, and Team Spence does, too,” said Coppinger.

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“Spence don’t want the fight. Change his name to ‘Errol Sprints,'” said Tim Bradley about his belief that Spence doesn’t want to fight Crawford.

“He don’t want the fight. You got Inoue and Fulton about to show down. It didn’t take that long for that fight to get done. Errol don’t want the fight, people. “Okay, Rocha, I think it’s a great fight [for Crawford]. Why not? It’s stay busy, Crawford. Keep making your money. Keep collecting your checks. Keep sharpening your tools just in case Errol Sprint looks your way.

[Bandog]

“Spence don’t want the fight. Change his name to ‘Errol Sprints,'” said Tim Bradley about his belief that Spence doesn’t want to fight Crawford.

“He don’t want the fight. You got Inoue and Fulton about to show down. It didn’t take that long for that fight to get done. Errol don’t want the fight, people. “Okay, Rocha, I think it’s a great fight [for Crawford]. Why not? It’s stay busy, Crawford. Keep making your money. Keep collecting your checks. Keep sharpening your tools just in case Errol Sprint looks your way.

Bradley's running his mouth because he's close friends with Crawford. He calls this a great fight? fornicate off Bradley.

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The maximum purse split would be 75/25 in Crawford’s favor should it go to a bid, though a deal is expected to be reached long before the March 19 deadline.

Pretty sure we're passed this date now..

[Cent0089]

Oh man this is bad

[KiwiRider]

Oh man this is bad

I believe this is an adequate description ->

[Bandog]

Oh boy. Hold me back. Bud should be embarrassed.

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Alexis Rocha Probably believes Crawford-Spence will be happening.

He’s scheduled to headline a Golden Boy event on May 27 DAZN show