Raul Curiel vs. Jordan Panthen Keys to Victory: Breaking down tactics of each fighter

Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel were set to renew their rivalry with a rematch on Friday. However, Rocha was forced to withdraw Thursday night due to a medical emergency.

So, now the undefeated Curiel (16-0-1, 13 KOs) will take on Jordan ‘The Patriot’ Panthen (11-1, 9 KOs) at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California, and live on DAZN, Friday. The bout will be contested at middleweight.

After battling Rocha to a riveting majority draw, which had plenty of momentum swings and fireworks alike back in December 2024, Curiel went on to deliver a fourth-round knockout of Victor Ezequiel Rodriguez in June. Meanwhile, Panthen fought to varying results in 2025, having scored a unanimous decision against DeAundre Pettus in January before losing a majority decision to Farid Ngoga in July.

How will Curiel fare against this late replacement? Will Panthen shock the Mexican fighter, handing him his first loss? DAZN News provides the Keys to Victory for both.

Raul Curiel’s Keys to Victory

Launch combinations in bursts

Raul Curiel does an excellent job of picking his spots to uncork combinations in bursts over the course of a fight.

The Mexican fighter tends to particularly finish these sequences with oomph, before assessing and launching into another barrage.

Unleashing a few of these ferocious combos should test the will of a late replacement in Jordan Panthen, especially early, and could go a long way to possibly even overwhelming the American.

Launch the uppercut inside often

When Curiel was able to creep his way inside against Rocha, he was able to launch the uppercut and land it regularly.

By default of Curiel’s punch volume, this shot could serve as a sharp retort to Panthen’s dogged movement to get inside.

However, this weapon can also be a damaging blow if Curiel manages to leverage its maximum impact with volume.

Unload the overhand right

A Panthen swing and miss, especially with an attempted left jab, will afford Curiel the opportunity to unload a counter overhand right.

The shot could be detonated around Panthen’s guard and to his temple, possibly spelling the difference needed for Curiel to stay undefeated.

Jordan Panthen’s Keys to Victory

Rip the body

Watch footage of Jordan Panthen’s fights, and it is glaring how the American rips the body, even lunging in to land these piercing shots.

Against a Raul Curiel, who is a volume puncher, Panthen can possibly slow the Mexican fighter down by making these crunching deposits to the midsection.

Do not get caught coming in

It is a regular sight for Panthen to go two gloves up and bulldoze his way into the pocket against opponents, as the American fighter is willing to take one shot — or two — in order to land a couple of his own.

That persistence could prove foolish if Panthen’s persistence leaves him vulnerable to a barrage of shots courtesy of Curiel’s high output.

Therefore, Panthen must be a bit more measured in his attempts to work his way into the phone booth against Curiel. This could come in the form of changing levels or decreasing the number of steps he needs to force cramped quarters.

Crank up the volume

Panthen might be forced to fight fire with fire against a volume puncher like Curiel.

That means making it a conscious effort to let his hands go and drive up his own punch count to make an impression on judges’ scorecards or perhaps even shocking Curiel with a significant power shot.