Philippines, 21 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Rocha vs. Curiel: Someone’s getting tossed off the 147 ladder


PhilBoxing.com





The most intriguing matchup for this coming weekend is Alexis Rocha squaring off against prospect Raul Curiel this Saturday streaming live on DAZN. Four years ago Rocha was in a similar spot Curiel’s in as Raul attempts to climb the ladder at welterweight from prospect to full blown contender. At 16-0, Alexis Rocha was defeated by then unbeaten Rashidi Ellis. Rocha ever so slowly managed to get back closer to title contention range rattling off 7 straight victories only to be stopped in 6 rounds by Giovanni Santillan.

Back to the drawing board, Rocha has now won two fights in a row. He needs to prove this Saturday he still belongs in the conversation as contender with hopes of something bigger. His opponent’s record is 15-0 with 13 wins coming by knockout. Raul Curiel is stepping up to his toughest opponent to date facing an experienced fighter in Rocha.

Will Curiel pass the test is the question? To answer that question before we get the results in the ring one has to use eye test in a few fights on his resume to decide. Curiel’s best opposition on paper was vet Brad Solomon and Kendo Castaneda. Although a clean win via stoppage in the 7th round, Jeremy Ramos gave Raul some quality, hard-earned rounds.

Raul competed in the 2016 Olympian for team Mexico. He has good pop on his punches throwing 2 and 3 punch combinations. Curiel attacks the body and head, while landing short hooks and upper cuts on the inside. Raul has decent footwork, able to take a half or full step back using angles to get out of range. Curiel doesn’t move on the outside throughout fight but more than capable of using his feet when fighters try to attack especially with lead punches.

How will Raul defend himself when forced to the ropes versus a more advanced fighter like Rocha? In what amounts to basically a 50-50 prediction outcome the betting odds actually place Rocha as a slight underdog. Alexis is definitely a solid value bet sitting anywhere from +100 to +110. In a pick’em matchup this boxing junkie leans in favor of Raul just by a hair.

My Official Prediction is Raul Curiel by Split-Decision.

PODCAST LINK: http://tobtr.com/12391786

Side Note: 154-pound Contender Charles Conwell is on the card and if successful will be looking for a legit opponent in 2025.

Written by Chris Carlson Host/Producer of The Rope A Dope Radio Podcast Available at www.blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio Follow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Chris Carlson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • JONES VS. GUALTIERI FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE
    , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: From Madrid to Johannesburg – The Legacy of the WBC in South Africa
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • TYSON VS. MAYWEATHER EXHIBITION IS ON— TYSON BROKEN HAND PUSHES EVENT FROM SPRING TO FALL OF 2026
    , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • Three Lions Promotions Building pro boxing back to Glory days in Metro Vancouver
    , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • Jenn Perella shines, Bobby Laing stops Russ Kimber in 1st round
    , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Gustavo Trujillo Looks to Continue his Rise in the Heavyweight Division
    , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • Filipino Francisco "Django" Bustamante rules 2026 Buffalo’s Pro Classic 1 Ball One Pocket Division
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Secures Eight More Victories on Day Three of 2026 Copa America
    , Thu, 21 May 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 19 MAY 2026: Davis Outpoints Albright; Kuse Dethrones Jerusalem; Donovan Defeats Chukhadzhian; Hrgovic Stops Allen
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • 2026 NBA Playoffs: Knicks Rally from 22 Points Down to Beat Cavs 115-104 in OT
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • Filipino grabs second place in the National Canada Chess Challenge 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • Spotlight on Mexico City: boxers speak ahead of IBA Pro 18
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • 2026 NBA Playoffs: Wembanyama Outshines MVP Gilgeous-Alexander as Spurs Beat Thunder 122-115 in Double Overtime Thriller
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • 0 MUST GO: SELDON JR. vs. POPPER — JUNE 13 AT THE TROP
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • CARL “THE COBRA” FROCH REUNITES WITH ANDRE WARD ON ART OF WARD FOR FIRST IN-DEPTH SIT-DOWN SINCE THEIR LEGENDARY SUPER SIX FINAL
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • BOXING LEGEND DARREN BARKER ANNOUNCES 'THE LONGEST ROUND' – A WORLD-FIRST ENDURANCE CHALLENGE FOR MEN'S MENTAL HEALTH
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • IBA stands ready to organise Jon Jones professional boxing fight in Russia
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Earns Eight More Wins on Day Two at 2026 Copa America
    , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • QC ends PCAP Season 6 All-Filipino conference campaign
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 20 May 2026
  • It’s in the blood
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • “The fans will be the true winners” – Angel Ayala ready for IBA PRO 18 in Mexico City
    , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • Rematch option for Melvin
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • World-class stablemates John ‘Scrappy’ Ramirez & Darius ‘DFG’ Fulghum fighting on same card Friday night in San Jose
    , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • Ignacio Defeats Malayan to Claim Title and USD 10,000 Prize
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 19 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Dominates Day One of 2026 Copa America with 11-0 Record
    , Tue, 19 May 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.