“Red Tiger” Ashie New Alexis Rocha Opponent For Saturday

Rising Golden Boy Promotions welterweight Alexis Rocha will have a late replacement opponent, as he headlines Saturday night in Inglewood, CA. This after a Tuesday announcement that the original opponent, veteran Anthony “Juice” Young is injured from training and now, another veteran, George “Red Tiger” Ashie, will step in.

From Golden Boy’s official release,

Santa Ana’s star Alexis “Lex” Rocha (21-1, 13 KOs) will face new opponent George “Red Tiger” Ashie (33-5-1, 25 KOs) of Accra, Ghana, as the main event for the 12-round clash set for January 28 at YouTube Theater in Inglewood and presented in association with Star Boxing. The originally announced opponent, Anthony Young, suffered a nose injury and can no longer participate in the fight against Rocha. Doors to the venue will open at 3:00 p.m. PST, and the worldwide broadcast on DAZN begins at 5:00 p.m. PST/ 8:00 p.m. EST.

“I recently learned of the injury that Anthony suffered in sparring,” said Alexis Rocha. “To be honest, it does not matter who is standing across from me in that ring come Saturday night. The goal and the assignment remains the same: break my opponent’s will and win by stoppage. I’m ready for any fighter they put in front of me.”

George “Red Tiger” Ashie represents Accra, Ghana. Ashie is the current IBF Continental Africa Super Lightweight Champion, and will present a significant challenge to Rocha as his last five fights have ended in jaw-dropping knockouts.

“I promise the fans will see a great boxing match and that l will knock him out coldly,” said George Ashie. “I do thank Alexis for giving me this opportunity. I will prove to the world on Saturday night who George is. Thank you to my team, especially Emmanuel Addo and Joe DeGuardia and Star Boxing for making this happen. I am the Red Tiger and I rule the ring whenever I step in it.”

“It doesn’t matter what opponent is in front of Alexis, he will do whatever it takes to attain the victory,” said Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions Oscar De La Hoya. “We applaud George Ashie for taking this fight on a week’s notice – this will be a war with two fighters out to prove they’re worthy contenders in the sport.”

Rocha vs. Ashie is a 12-round welterweight fight for the NABO Welterweight Title presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing. Schofield vs. Mercado is a 10-round fight for the vacant WBA International Lightweight Title presented by Golden Boy in association with Davies Entertainment. The fight night will take place on Saturday, January 28, live from YouTube Theater in Inglewood, CA and will be broadcast on DAZN worldwide.”

Rocha was elevated to the main event, when top lightweight contender Ryan Garcia passed on having a tune up fight for this card prior to his mega-bout that is proposed with Gervonta “Tank” Davis for April 15th. It was believed that Garcia was going to stay busy with his first fight since this past Summer, but elected instead, to simply focus and train for Davis.