Golden Boy Promotions will kick off its 2026 fight calendar on Friday, January 16th at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, Californiawith a slate of rematches. Headlining the card, welterweights Alexis “Lex” Rocha (25-2-1, 16 KOs) and Raul “El Cugár” Curiel (16-0-1, 13 KOs) will settle the score after their heated first meeting ended in a draw. The twelve-round showdown between the two contenders will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN. On the undercard, Coachella Valley’s Manuel “Gucci Manny” Flores (20-1-1, 16 KOs) and Tijuana’s Jorge “El Niño Dorado” Chávez (14-0-1, 8 KOs) will meet in a rematch that could define the next phase of their careers. The super bantamweight clash is scheduled for ten rounds.
“January 16th isn’t a new fight, it’s Round 13,” said Rocha. “Curiel and I left something unfinished, and this time I’m not stopping until there’s no doubt left in anyone’s mind. He’s going to feel everything I’ve carried since that night. At Acrisure Arena, I’m ending this story — permanently.”
“I am very excited to continue to build my legacy, be able to fight and continue this boxing saga,” said Curiel. “I am filled with emotions knowing that I will represent Mexico and my hometown of Tampico.”
“We’re kicking off our 2026 fight calendar with the kind of high-impact, high-stakes rematches fans demanded we run back,” said Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “January 16th will bring classic Golden Boy excitement and showcase the Coachella Valley’s next generation of stars we’ve been shaping from the ground up.” Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com.
“I feel blessed to be making an appearance in this new arena,” said Flores. “I am ready to showcase in this rematch that we are on different levels.”
“Everyone knows I won our last fight,” said Jorge Chavez. “Manuel knows this, the fans know this, his team knows this and more importantly I know this. Now it’s my job to take this out of the judges’ hands and to show Manuel once and for all who the real winner is between us.”
Fresh off a majority draw in a Southern California showdown in December 2024, Rocha remains one of the welterweight division’s most exciting and resilient fighters. His headlining duel with Curiel at Toyota Arena delivered nonstop action and further cemented Rocha’s reputation for grit and entertainment. Rocha entered that bout after a July 2024 victory over Santiago Dominguez. That win marked a strong rebound from his October 2023 loss to Giovani Santillan.
Before that setback, Rocha had built momentum with a win over Luis Alberto Veron in July 2022. That triumph followed a run that included three consecutive knockout victories, highlighted by a dominant performance against Blair Cobbs. Rocha met his first defeat in October 2020 against Rashidi Ellis. He began his professional career with Golden Boy in early 2016, making a statement with a knockout debut against Jordan Rosario. That launch came on the heels of an exceptional amateur run in which Rocha became a six-time national champion and, at just 14 years old, the youngest fighter ever to win Junior Olympics gold in 2012. Now at 28, the southpaw keeps advancing through the division, powered by determination, resilience and a reputation for delivering action.
In his latest outing, Curiel made a powerful statement in a WBA title eliminator on the Jake Paul vs. Julio César Chávez Jr. undercard, overwhelming previously unbeaten Victor Rodriguez at the Honda Center. A precise right uppercut in the fourth round changed the fight dramatically, leading to a stoppage win and marking an impressive debut under trainer Robert Garcia. That performance followed Curiel’s breakthrough moment in December 2024, when he battled Rocha to a thrilling twelve-round majority draw. The action-packed fight elevated his profile and helped cement his standing among the welterweights, while maintaining an undefeated professional record of 16 wins, one draw, and 14 knockouts.
Curiel turned professional in February 2017 under manager Frank Espinoza and Golden Boy, rising through the ranks on the strength of his power and steady dominance. Before turning professional, Curiel built an outstanding amateur resume representing Tamaulipas, Mexico. Beginning at just 15 years old, he quickly emerged as a force on the international stage, capturing gold at the 2012 AIBA World Championships, the 2013 Olympic Cup Championships, and Washington D.C. ‘s 2013 Golden Gloves Tournament. His strong run in the 2015 World Series of Boxing earned him a place on Mexico’s 2016 Olympic team, where he competed in the light welterweight division at the Rio de Janeiro Games. With his sights now set on a world title, “El Cugar” remains a serious threat in the welterweight division.
In his most recent performance, Flores battled to a majority draw in a headline showdown against San Diego’s Jorge Chavez at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. The ten-round clash between two of Golden Boy’s brightest rising stars delivered nonstop action and lived up to the hype. Representing Coachella, CA, Flores has become a standout in the super bantamweight division. After debuting in June 2017, he quickly made a name for himself with an aggressive style and explosive power. Despite a setback in June 2023 with a unanimous decision loss to Walter Santibanes, Flores has bounced back spectacularly, winning five consecutive fights by knockout. Training under Joel and Antonio Diaz at Diaz Training Camp alongside world-class talent like Israil Madrimov, Murodjon Akhmadaliev, and Bektemir Melikuziev, Flores continues to refine his skills. With his current momentum and determination, he is on track for bigger opportunities in the super bantamweight division.
Facing Flores in one of the toughest challenges of his career in enemy territory, Chavez remained composed and confident, mixing technical skill with power, and leaving fans and fighters alike eager for an immediate rematch. Many observers felt he had done enough to claim victory. Hailing from Tijuana and based in San Diego, Jorge Chavez has rapidly established himself as one of Golden Boy Promotions’ top rising stars. He turned professional in November 2021 and, after making a strong impression in his early fights, signed with Golden Boy in November 2023. In April 2025, Chavez thrilled fans with a dynamic performance against hard-hitting Brandon Douglas on the Gabriela Fundora vs. Marilyn Badillo undercard at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, CA. The eight-round contest reminded fans why ‘El Niño Dorado’ has become a must-watch every time he fights. Boasting a 60-7 amateur record, Chavez overcame the challenges of being an immigrant fighter with fewer opportunities to develop an extensive amateur background than many of his peers. Known for his sharp technical skills and power, he trains under Hector Lopez in Santa Ana alongside top talents like Alexis Rocha.
