Raul Curiel to face new foe in late twist as Alexis Rocha withdraws from rematch

Raul Curiel is set to face Jordan Panthen on Friday in California after Alexis Rocha withdrew from the pair's anticipated rematch.

The latter struggled to cut weight on Wednesday and was subsequently hospitalized, forcing his exit from the welterweight clash.

It marks a blow for both men, who managed just one fight between them in 2025 and had hoped to launch title bids with this fight.

It means Panthen, who suffered a first loss in July against Farid Ngoga, has been drafted in for a 158-pound catchweight clash.

Curiel's manager Frank Espinoza told The Ring: "Raul and Alexis had a faceoff at the events center on Wednesday around 5:00 PM.

"Then Alexis Rocha got sick while he was in the process of cutting weight [afterwards] and went to the hospital, we were told."

Curiel and Rocha previously faced off in a blockbuster majority draw back in December 2024, a bout that slowed their title ambitions.

The former knocked out Victor Rodriguez in June for his only bout last year, while the latter was absent from the ring due to injuries.

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