23-year old David Sanchez (27-2-2, 20 KO) of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, sent his hometown fans happy at the Palenque de la Expogan on Saturday night with a tenth round stoppage of 30-year old former IBF 115 lb. titlist Juan Alberto Rosas (40-9, 28 KO). It was the first stoppage loss for Rosas, an impressive feat considering the rugged work Rosas has put in. Rosas has faced a who’s who of 115 lb. titlists in his era including losses to Fernando Montiel and Cristian Mijares and wins over Zolani Tete and his 2010 title victory over Simphiwe Nongqayi.
With the win, Sanchez retained the interim WBA title at 115 lbs. he picked up last year with a unanimous decision over Breilor Teran. Sanchez wins his 16th straight and is in line for a showdown with the WBA’s ‘full’ beltholder Kohei Kono (30-8-1, 13 KO), 34, of Japan.
Sanchez came into the bout at the division limit of 115 lbs., Rosas slightly under at 114 ¾. The referee was Manuel Rodriguez Soler.
Rosas was game from the start, landing some decent right hands, but the veteran has clearly lost a step. The faster, sharper Sanchez was simply too young and too good this night. Sanchez snapped off a hard body attack all night and regularly beat Rosas to the punch upstairs. While Sanchez was winning the fight, Rosas remained competitive and the bout never lacked for entertainment.
Switching to southpaw in spots, Sanchez found room for some haymaker lefts in round eight. Repeatedly measuring Rosas, Sanchez put on a clinic of pot shots, aggravating Rosas who threw a shot after the bell. Early in the tenth, it was all over. Sanchez backed Rosas into the corner and let loose a violent assault, battering Rosas until the corner saved their man with the towel. The official time of the stoppage was :33 of round ten.
