With wins in 21 out of 22 fights and a well-deserved reputation as one of boxing's rising stars, Nestor Rocha has steadily built an impressive resume since turning pro in 2000.

On Tuesday, July 14th, the 26-year-old bantamweight gets his long-awaited opportunity to graduate from contender to champion when he takes on Hozumi Hasegawa for the WBC title in Kobe, Japan at World Memorial Hall.

"Nestor is ready for this title fight and we're all expecting him to return to California with the belt around his waist," said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions.

"Hasegawa is a tough and respected champion, but Rocha is young, hungry and more prepared than ever to take the title. This is his time and he'll show that on July 14th."

Hailing from Montebello, California, Rocha (21-1, 7 KO's) is wise beyond his years in the boxing ring and known for a stiff jab, good lateral movement and a devastating body attack.

Currently on a four-fight winning streak that includes wins over Mexican Olympian Cesar Morales, the experienced Jose Angel Beranza and Oscar "Pajarito" Andrade, Rocha is ready for whatever Hasegawa (26-2, 10 KO's) can throw at him.

If Hasegawa thinks he will have home ring advantage, he should think again. Rocha is no stranger to Japanese rings, having already won three fights in the Land of The Rising Sun. Win number four would definitely be the sweetest of his career.

"I've worked hard to make this happen and I plan to take full advantage of this opportunity," said Rocha who arrived in Japan on July 6th.

Share/Save | (2) comments | Add your comments
Click to read more boxing articles by Boxing Press

Discuss in Boxing Forum

---

Related Boxing Articles...

• Golden Boy Boxing Signs Popular Los Angeles Fighters Santa Cruz And Rocha

  Jose Armando Santa Cruz, former interim WBC lightweight world champion, and explosive bantamweight Nestor Rocha joined the exclusive stable of Golden Boy Promotions today, looking for the best fights and >
  
  

• Boxing Result: Hasegawa, Sidorenko Keep World Titles In Osaka

  At the Prefectural Gym in Osaka, Japan earlier today, the WBC and WBA Bantamweight Champions kept their titles against stern opposition. WBC kingpin Hozumi Hasegawa turned back the aspirations of >
  
  

• Veeraphol Sahaprom Finally Conquered.

  After fifteen successful title defenses, and a seven-year-reign of terror as the WBC bantamweight champion, Veeraphol Sahaprom ( 47-2-2- with 33 Ko's) was finally dethroned last night by little known >
  
  

• Boxing In America: Rocha, Gonzalez, Arceo Win At Morongo Casino

  At the Morongo Casino and Resort in Cabazon, CA last night, super bantams Nestor Rocha and Jhonny Gonzalez looked sharp in winning meaningful victories. Rocha, 21-1 (7), continued to rebuild >
  
  

• Valdez Hits Japan To Challenge WBC Boxing Champ Hasegawa

  Sitting at the gate at Los Angeles Airport last week, Alex Valdez went almost unrecognized as he waited for the boarding call for his flight to Tokyo, Japan, where he >
  
  

• Boxing Weights: Vincente Escobedo vs. Domenic Salcido

  In preparation to their clash tonight at Morongo Casino in Cabazon, CA the principal fighters weighed in yesterday. Lightweights Vincente Escobedo: 134 lb Domenic Salcido: 134.5 lb Junior featherweights Nestor Rocha: 120.5 lb Javier >
  
  

• Boxing In Japan: Hasegawa, Aoh Win WBC Title Fights

  This past Thursday saw two big WBC title fights at separate venues, with one belt changing hands and one staying with its owner. At The World Memorial Hall in Kobe, hometown >
  
  

• Gonzalez, Rocha Co-Headline November 21 “Solo Boxeo” Boxing Card At Morongo Casino

  Former World Champion Jhonny Gonzalez returns to Southern California to headline Golden Boy Promotions' card on Friday, November 21 at Morongo Casino Resort and Spa in Cabazon, California. Local >
  
  

• Boxing In Japan: Hasegawa, Larios Win World Title Fights In Tokyo

  Two world champions saw action at Tokyo's Yoyogi First Gym on Thursday night and when the dust finally settled both WBC Bantamweight titlist Hozumi Hasegawa and WBC Featherweight ruler Oscar >
  
  

• WBC Boxing News: Japan Adopts Instant Replay In Title Fights

  From WBC President Jose Sulaiman: The Japan Boxing Commission has agreed to use instant replay in WBC title fights. The WBC is very happy with this development regarding the instant replay >
  
  

---

Boxing News Tags: Golden Boy Promotions, Hozumi Hasegawa, Nestor Rocha