The World Boxing Organization has ordered Terence Crawford to defend his welterweight title against Alexis Rocha. Under this order, representatives for both fighters will have 20 days to reach a deal or the fight will go to a purse bid. In the event that the bout goes to a purse bid, all parties are required to put up more than $200,000 for their bid to be considered. With that being said, representatives for both fighters are expected to reach a deal long before the deadline.
Terence Crawford met with Rocha’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions, hours before the potential challenger’s last fight. Shortly after the two parties met, Bernard Hopkins, who also attended the meeting, said that an announcement would be “coming soon.” While an announcement has not been made just yet, it does appear that the two side are in communication with each other and have been for some time now.
Crawford enters the fight as one of the top fighters in the world with a perfect record of 39-0. The Omaha native last fought in December 2022 and knocked out David Avanesyan in the sixth round. Meanwhile, Rocha has won back-to-back fights against Jesus Antonio Perez
Campos and George Ashie over the last six months. However, he did suffer a cut in his last fight that will keep him out of the ring until the end of March.
?? The WBO have now officially ordered Terence Crawford to defend his WBO welterweight world title vs Alexis Rocha next. Parties have 20 days (until March 19th) to agree a deal, then purse bids.
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) February 27, 2023
