Disappointment in the Boxing Community
In an unexpected turn of events, the boxing community was hit with disappointment as the highly anticipated rematch between Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel has been scrapped just hours before it was to take place. This bout was set to occur at the Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California, on Friday, following a previous encounter that ended in a draw in December 2024, a match hailed by many as a Fight of the Year candidate.
Medical Issues Force Withdrawal
Sources informed Uncrowned of Rocha’s withdrawal; the welterweight suffered from an undisclosed medical issue that necessitated hospitalization. It appears that this condition may have been aggravated by his weight-cutting process, as Rocha was aiming to meet the 147-pound limit for the fight.
Event Adjustments and Other Matchups
As Golden Boy Promotions, led by Oscar De La Hoya, scrambles to find a substitute fighter for Curiel to maintain the event’s schedule, card highlights continue with other exciting matchups. Among them:
- Manuel Flores is set to face Jorge Chavez in a super bantamweight rematch.
- Highly regarded prospect Joel Iriarte will step in to challenge Jireh De Los Santos.
- Super flyweight standout John “Scrappy” Ramirez will take on Byron Rojas.
- Uzbek gold medalist Ruslan Abdullaev will compete against Eduardo Javier Abreu.
Fans eagerly await updates as the evening’s lineup contemplates the significant change—marking yet another twist in a tumultuous boxing landscape.
