Boxing is weird. Honestly, one day you're prepping for a massive rematch and the next you’re staring at a different guy across the ring who weighs ten pounds more than he should. That’s exactly the chaos we saw last night at the Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert. If you were looking for the boxing match last night results, you probably noticed the name Alexis Rocha was missing from the top of the bill.
Medical issues sidelined Rocha, which is a total bummer for fans who wanted that specific sequel. But the show went on. Raul Curiel didn't just sit around and complain. He took on a late-notice powerhouse in Jordan Panthen and basically put on a clinic, even if it wasn't the knockout some were hunting for.
Curiel Proves He’s Ready for the Big Leagues
Raul Curiel is a name you've gotta keep in your head if you care about the welterweight division. Last night, he moved to 17-0-1. He had to jump up in weight to meet Panthen, who is naturally bigger, but Curiel’s "Cugar" instincts were too sharp.
The first three rounds were honestly a bit of a chess match. Lots of feinting. Lots of feeling out. Curiel was using that left jab like a piston, while Panthen was trying to bully him with short right hands. It felt like watching two guys trying to figure out a puzzle in real-time. By the mid-rounds, Curiel started timing Panthen beautifully. He wasn't taking wild risks, which was smart given Panthen’s power, but he was landing the cleaner, more professional shots.
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The ninth round was the highlight. Curiel landed a massive overhand right that nearly sent Panthen to the floor. Panthen is tough as nails, though; he survived, but he looked completely gassed by the tenth. The scorecards were wide and fair: 97-93 twice and 98-92. Curiel keeps his "0" and proves he can handle adversity when the script gets flipped.
The Drama Under the Lights: Chavez and Abdulaev
If you like a good "revenge" narrative, the Jorge Chavez vs. Manuel Flores rematch was probably your favorite part of the night. Their first fight was controversial, but Chavez left no doubt this time. He outpointed "Gucci Manny" in a fight that got progressively more intense.
Flores had his moments early, but Chavez took over in the back half. By the final three rounds, Chavez was landing shots that had Flores reeling. It’s a huge win for Chavez’s career trajectory at 122 pounds.
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We also need to talk about Ruslan Abdulaev. He’s 4-0 now with a TKO win over Eduardo Abreu in the fifth. The kid is 140 pounds of pure problem. He looked so composed for someone with so few pro fights. Keep an eye on him.
Quick Rundown of Other Results
- John "Scrappy" Ramirez squeezed out a majority decision over Byron Rojas. It wasn't pretty, and neither guy really took control, but Scrappy did enough to get the nod (97-93, 98-92, and one 95-95 draw).
- Cayden Griffiths dominated Lesther Espino, winning every single round on all three cards (60-53).
- Fabian Guzman scored a 6th-round TKO against Jose Rodriguez. Guzman’s variety of punches was actually pretty impressive to watch.
- Ricardo Ruvalcaba stayed undefeated with a unanimous decision over the veteran Jonathan Eniz.
Why These Results Matter for 2026
The boxing match last night results aren't just about one night in California. They set the stage for a massive year. Curiel is now screaming for a title shot at welterweight. With the division in a bit of a transition phase, he’s positioned himself as a legitimate contender.
Across the ocean, we also saw Jai Opetaia sign with Zuffa Boxing (Dana White’s venture). That is a massive move. Opetaia is arguably the best cruiserweight on the planet, and having him under the Zuffa banner means we might actually get the big fights we've been dreaming about without the usual promotional roadblocks.
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Also, we can't ignore the weirdness in Australia. Nikita Tszyu and Michael Zerafa ended in a "No Decision" due to a massive cut on Zerafa. It’s frustrating for fans, but Zerafa’s cut man apparently thought the fight should have continued. Expect that one to be rebooked immediately because the bad blood there hasn't been settled at all.
What’s Next for Boxing Fans?
If you're keeping track of the calendar, things are only getting faster. Next week, we’ve got Raymond Muratalla taking on Andy Cruz in Las Vegas. That’s a pure "purist" fight. Then at the end of the month, the big one: Teofimo Lopez vs. Shakur Stevenson.
For now, the takeaway from last night is simple: Raul Curiel is the real deal, and the welterweight division has a new shark in the water.
Actionable Insights for Following the Sport:
- Watch the Replay: If you missed the Curiel ninth round, find the highlight on DAZN or social media. That overhand right was a masterclass in timing.
- Monitor the Rankings: Watch for Curiel to jump into the top 5 of the WBA or WBC welterweight rankings by next month.
- Check the 140-lb Prospect List: Add Ruslan Abdulaev to your "must-watch" list. His technical ceiling looks incredibly high for a prospect.
- Stay Alert for Rocha's Return: Since he pulled out for medical reasons, he'll likely look to re-schedule that Curiel fight by mid-summer once he's cleared.