Raul Curiel is back in action tonight, but it won’t be the planned rematch with Alexis Rocha.
Rocha was hospitalized after issues trying to make weight for what was supposed to be a welterweight rematch,
and now Curiel will compete in a middleweight main event against late notice opponent Jordan Panthen. Technically, the fight is at a 158 lb catchweight, and Curiel (16-0-1, 14 KO) weighed in at 155.8 lbs, with Panthen (11-1, 9 KO) at 157.6.
Panthen is natural at this weight, while Curiel normally fights at 147, so that could be an interesting wrinkle. Curiel gets to stay active by taking the fight, though, and it also keeps what could be an entertaining Friday night card in place.
Wil Esco will be on the call tonight with updates and discussion coming down in the comments section.
How to watch Curiel vs Panthen
Streaming: DAZN (subscription)
Start time: 8:00 pm ET
Location: Acrisure Arena, Palm Desert, CA
Curiel vs Panthen running order
- Cayden Griffiths (6-0, 6 KO) vs Lesther Espino (10-7, 8 KO), super welterweights, 6 rounds
- Ruslan Abdulaev (3-0, 1 KO) vs Eduardo Abreu (14-1-2, 10 KO), super lightweights, 8 rounds
- Joel Iriarte (9-0, 8 KO) vs Jireh de los Santos (14-2-2, 5 KO), welterweights, 8 rounds
- Manuel Flores (20-1-1, 16 KO) vs Jorge Chavez (14-0-1, 8 KO), rematch, super bantamweights, 10 rounds
- Raul Curiel (16-0-1, 14 KO) vs Jordan Panthen (11-1, 9 KO), middleweights, 10 rounds
