Tsotne Rogava continues to rack up wins and stay active.
The heavyweight prospect remained undefeated on Saturday night, dropping Alexander Flores once en route to a unanimous decision victory at the Pacific Palms Resort in the City of Industry, California.
From the opening bell, Rogava was the aggressor, walking Flores down and to the ropes. Late in round two, Rogava backed his taller and physically larger foe into a corner. Rogava threw and landed a right to the body, followed by a combination to the head, dropping Flores to the canvas. Flores beat the count and out of the round.
Rogava continued to fight on his front foot, but Flores was able to find success in round five, countering Rogava with rights and lefts to the head. Rogava swung the momentum his way during round six and was the more effective fighter.
Feeling that he was off the scorecards, along with Rogava showing signs of wear and tear, Flores began exchanges, boxing out and dislodging Rogava. It was unfortunate that Flores chose to become more of the aggressor during this late stage of the fight as he ran out of time and rounds.
The 31-year-old Rogava is a Ukrainian who grew up in Zugdidi, Georgia and now lives in the Los Angeles suburb of Marina Del Rey. In his previous fight on June 15, Rogava out-boxed and defeated Joe Bolden by unanimous decision.
The win over Flores was Rogava’s seventh fight of 2024. Rogava is co-trained by Joe Goossen and Jonathan Walley.
Rogava improves to 10-0, 7 knockouts. Flores, who lives in Rowland Heights, Calif., falls to 19-5-1, 17 KOs. In his previous fight on March 23, Flores knocked out fighter Josue Vargas in the third round.
The 34-year-old Flores has lost four of his last six fights, including losses to Luis Ortiz and Joseph Parker.
Paolo “Pow” Barredo (left) – Photo by Lyle Ibarra
In the co-feature, featherweight Paolo Barredo was successful in his pro debut, dropping Mychaquell Shields twice en route to a fourth-round knockout victory.
Barredo, an amateur standout who was the 2021 Junior Olympic champion, used his height, reach and strength to overwhelm Shields. Late in round three, Barredo dropped Shields with a left hook to the head. Shields would beat the count but was battered throughout the rest of the round.
About a minute into round four, Barredo trapped Shields in a corner and unleashed a combination that dropped Shields to the canvas. Shields beat the count again, but Barredo continued his offense which would eventually prompt referee Ivan Guillermo to step in and stop the fight at 2:20.
Barredo celebrated his 18th birthday two days before the fight against Shields. He is coached by Henry Ramirez and is a senior at nearby Walnut High School.
The 35-year-old Shields, who lives in Alpine, Calif., falls to 2-6. He has now lost his last four fights.
In welterweight action, Ricardo Robledo improved to 10-0, 3 KOs, defeating Matt Gaver (3-10-1, 2 KOs) by unanimous decision. Scores were 60-54 (twice) and 59-55 for Robledo, who lives in the Mission Hills area of Southern California.
Lightweight Michael Bracamontes of Santa Ana, California defeated Armenia’s Arsen Poghosyan (3-3-1, 2 KOs) by majority decision. One judge scored the fight 57-57, while the other two judges scored the fight 58-56 for Bracamontes, who improved to 10-2-1, 5 KOs.
Junior bantamweight Enkhmandakh Kharkhuu, who is originally from Mongolia and now lives and trains in Los Angeles, knocked out Richard Morales (1-8) of Westminster, Colorado at 2:30 of the opener.
The map was promoted by Azat Torosyan.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached at (email protected)
