Lockridge Gets Up for TKO Win : Floored in 3rd Round, He Stops De La Rosa

TUCSON —  Two-time world junior lightweight champion Rocky Lockridge said his objective Sunday after being knocked down in the third round by challenger Johnny De La Rosa was to “shake it off” and score a knockout.

He did both, stopping De La Rosa at 2:43 of the 10th round with a right cross, left hook and another right to retain his International Boxing Federation title in his first defense.

Lockridge, 28, said that by about the sixth round he felt the fight shifting to his advantage and thought: “It’s my stage now. You had your little party. I’m the champ and it’s my show now.”

Referee Al Munoz stopped the fight at the 10th-round knockdown.

The 5-foot-5, 130-pound Lockridge backed his taller and younger opponent into the champion’s corner, stood him up with a right cross and followed with a left hook, then another right hand that took him to the canvas.

The rangy De La Rosa, with a 4 1/2-inch height advantage, staggered Lockridge earlier, putting him on his back in the third round with a left hook.

Lockridge said he was not worried but realized De La Rosa “was taking the play from the judges and the audience” and that “I had to knock him out.”

De La Rosa said, “I think I fought his fight. I let him get the chance to get close to me.”

Two judges had Lockridge ahead, 87-83 and 86-85, going into the 10th round, while the third had De La Rosa ahead, 86-84.

A crowd of about 1,000 watched the first title match in Tucson in more than seven years.