Alexis Rocha usually prefers to do his talking in the ring but made an exception for his next opponent.
The normally reserved Rocha remains confident of conquering unbeaten and boisterous Blair ‘The Flair’ Cobbs in their makeshift DAZN main event this Saturday at USC Galen Center in Los Angeles. The fight was elevated from co-feature to headliner after Vergil Ortiz Jr. (18-0, 18KOs) was hospitalized and pulled from a planned fight with England’s Michael McKinson (21-0, 2KOs), who now faces Jesus Antonio Perez Campos (24-3, 18KOs) in the co-feature.
The development prompted the 32-year-old Cobbs (15-0-1, 10KOs) to command the spotlight at Thursday’s press conference, insisting he would treat Rocha as a stepping stone. His opponent had plenty to say in return, for a change.
“Look at me, remember this face,” Rocha demanded of Cobbs as the two traded barbs on stage. “You’re one fight from the commentating booth. You’re gonna be announcing my fights after this.”
Rocha (18-1, 12KOs) enters the fight on a two-fight win streak following his lone career defeat, a 12-round decision loss to Rashidi Ellis in their October 2020 battle of unbeaten welterweight prospects. Each of Rocha’s last two fights ended inside the distance in supporting capacity to shows headlined by former WBO junior middleweight titlist Jaimie Munguia (39-0, 31KOs). Rocha shared an undercard with Cobbs as both posted stoppage wins last June 19 in El Paso, and then knocked out Jeovanis Barraza last November at Honda Center in Anaheim—a fight where Rocha insists he had a different opponent in mind.
“The fight was presented to [Cobbs] last November,” claimed Rocha. “Obviously, I didn’t fight him. So, what happened?”
Cobbs alleges to have never received that offer.
“I didn’t see any presentation of papers,” Cobbs insisted. “I would have looked forward to dishing out another ass whipping. (Ask your coach). Am I the type of person who turns down fights? Somebody who called out [unbeaten welterweight contender Jaron ‘Boots’] Ennis, somebody who calls out any and everybody. Does Blair the Flair look like he gives a sh!t? I don’t think so.”
The claim was immediately challenged.
“That’s not what your people say,” Rocha stated. “Look, you act like a clown here and there. Just remember this, Blair – just like there’s clowns in the circus, there’s also lions and tigers there too.”
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox