Vinny's Corner

The welterweight division kicks off 2026 with a bang as Alexis “Lex” Rocha and Raul “El Cugar” Curiel square off in a highly anticipated rematch this Friday night.

Their first encounter in December 2024 was a brutal, back-and-forth war that ended in a majority draw, earning widespread praise as a Fight of the Year contender. Fans debated the scorecards for months, some saw Rocha edging it with volume, others credited Curiel’s power shots.

One thing was clear: this rivalry demanded a sequel. Set against the backdrop of a wide-open 147-pound landscape, Golden Boy Promotions delivers this clash at the Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California.

Breaking Down the Fighters

Alexis Rocha (25-2-1, 16 KOs): The 28-year-old American southpaw from Santa Ana, California, brings a pressure-heavy style that’s all about forcing exchanges and wearing opponents down. Standing at 5’9″ with a 70-inch reach, Rocha is a volume puncher who thrives in the pocket, mixing body work with sharp counters.

His losses came against quality opposition; a stoppage to Giovani Santillan in 2023 exposed vulnerabilities to elite power, but he’s rebounded strongly, going 2-0-1 since.

In the first Curiel fight, Rocha started strong, landing cleaner shots early and dictating pace, but faded under Curiel’s relentless aggression. Expect him to adjust by using his footwork more effectively this time, circling to exploit angles as a southpaw. Rocha’s experience in big spots (he’s headlined multiple cards) gives him an edge in managing the fight’s chaos, but his chin has been tested—Curiel rocked him multiple times last go-round.

Raul Curiel (16-0-1, 14 KOs): The 30-year-old Mexican powerhouse from Tampico remains unbeaten aside from the draw. Also 5’9″ with a 70-inch reach, Curiel is an orthodox brawler with heavy hands and composure under fire, often turning fights into slugfests.

His style is pure Mexican grit: forward pressure, vicious hooks to the body, and the ability to rally late. Since the first Rocha bout, Curiel stayed active with a knockout win over Victor Ezequiel Rodriguez in June 2025, sharpening his tools while Rocha sat idle.

In their initial meeting, Curiel’s power swung momentum in the middle rounds, landing bombs that had Rocha on the ropes. Critics note he can be hittable when pressing, but his durability shone through in the 12-round thriller. If Curiel can replicate that late surge and target Rocha’s body early, he could force a stoppage—his 14 KOs suggest he’s got the pop to end nights abruptly.

This matchup is pure entertainment: both fighters embody “Mexican style” boxing, going toe-to-toe without backing down.

The first fight saw wild momentum swings, with Rocha’s technical edge clashing against Curiel’s raw power. Adjustments will be key—Rocha needs to box smarter to avoid wars, while Curiel must close distance quicker. Odds reflect the toss-up: Rocha is a slight favorite at -120, with Curiel at -105 or even-money in some books, signaling another close affair.

The Official Pick

In a fight this evenly matched, I’m leaning toward Alexis Rocha by unanimous decision. His southpaw stance and volume punching should allow him to outpoint Curiel over 12 rounds, provided he avoids getting drawn into prolonged exchanges.

Curiel’s power is a real threat for a late KO, but Rocha’s experience and the home crowd in California tip the scales. Don’t be surprised if it’s another classic, but Rocha gets the nod this time, moving to 26-2-1 and positioning himself for bigger opportunities.

Where to Watch

The entire card streams live on DAZN worldwide, with prelims starting around 4:30 p.m. ET and the main card at 8 p.m. ET (main event ringwalks approximately 11 p.m. ET).

By Vincent

Photo courtesy of Golden Boy Productions