Press Release: Lightweight Jose Armando Santa Cruz and bantamweight Néstor Rocha joined the stable of Golden Boy Promotions today. Santa Cruz (24-2 with 13 KOs) won the WBC interim lightweight title by beating Japan's Chikashi Inada by sixth-round tenth-round technical knockouton May 20, 2006. He lost the title against David Díaz by tenth-round technical knockout on August 12, 2006. “We are very excited to be working with two Los Angeles based fighters. We will work hard to help them reach their goals”, said Eric Gomez, Vice President of Golden Boy Promotions.
“I want to be the champion one more time, and I hope to do it under the flag of Golden Boy Promotions”, said the 26 year old José Armando Santa Cruz. “I have so much desire to be successful in boxing, and there is no doubt that I can get everything with the support of Oscar de la Hoya”.
In his last fight, Santa Cruz defeated Luis “Vampiro” Arceo by decision on January 5, 2007, showing that he was back on track from the loss to Diaz.
Rocha (17-0, 5 KOs), is a 24 year old seeking a world title and believes that Golden Boy Promotions will put him on track for that crown against the best champions. Rocha has always been known as a good fighter with a lot of talent, and through the years he has backed it up. In his last fight, Rocha defeated Kaona Klongpajol by split decision on January 29 2007. In three trips to Japan, Rocha came away victorious.
