Golden Boy Promotions will kick off its 2026 schedule with a high-stakes rematch between Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel on January 16 in Palm Desert, California. The bout revisits last December’s tightly contested majority draw, a fight that saw Rocha outbox Curiel early before being dragged into a slugfest down the stretch.
Rocha has remained inactive since that night, carrying the frustration of an unresolved result into the new year. “January 16th isn’t a new fight, it’s Round 13,” Rocha said, vowing to erase any doubt. “He’s going to feel everything I’ve carried since that night. At Acrisure Arena, I’m ending this story - permanently.”
Watch Rocha vs. Curiel highlights.
Curiel stayed busier in the meantime, scoring a four-round stoppage of Victor Ezequiel Rodriguez last June on the Paul–Chavez undercard. Riding a wave of momentum and unbeaten in his career, the Tampico native is eager to settle the rivalry. “I am very excited to continue to build my legacy,” Curiel said. “I will represent Mexico and my hometown with pride.”
The Palm Desert card will also feature another rematch, as Manuel “Gucci Manny” Flores faces Jorge Chavez following their July 24 draw.
Chavez (14-0-1, 8 KOs) maintains he deserved the nod in the first encounter, pointing to a lone 97-93 scorecard that favored him. He believes his movement, timing, and clean punching were misunderstood by the judges and says small refinements will widen the margin this time. Chavez insists that once he felt how easily he could land, he knew he was in control of the fight.
Flores (20-1-1, 16 KOs) sees the bout very differently. Fighting in front of his hometown crowd in July, the 27-year-old felt he started too slowly but rallied strongly in the second half. This time, Flores says the focus is on cutting off the ring, applying consistent pressure, and preventing Chavez from boxing comfortably at range. He believes a sharper start will eliminate any doubt on the scorecards.
With two unfinished stories sharing the stage, Golden Boy’s first event of 2026 promises plenty of intensity!
Fight card:
▪️Alexis Rocha vs. Raul Curiel, 12 rounds, welterweight ▪️Manuel Flores vs. Jorge Chavez, 10 rounds, super bantamweight
