Curiel vs Panthen event now kicks off Golden Boy’s 2026 fight calendar, The card features a stacked undercard showcasing the promotion’s elite rising talent takes place Friday, January 16, 2026 live from Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, Calif., and will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN.

“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 16 will bring classic Golden Boy excitement and showcase the Coachella Valley’s next generation of stars we’ve been shaping from the ground up.”

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 latest outing, Raul “El Cugar” Curiel made a powerful statement in a WBA title eliminator on the Jake Paul vs. Julio César Chávez Jr. PPV card, 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 Alexis Rocha to a thrilling 12-round majority draw. The action-packed fight elevated his profile and helped cement his standing among the welterweight elite. He now holds top-15 rankings across all major sanctioning bodies — No. 3 by the WBC and the WBA, No. 6 by the IBF, No. 13 by the WBO, and No. 7 by The Ring Magazine — all while maintaining an undefeated professional record of 16 wins, one draw, and 14 knockouts.

In the co-main event, 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 bout is scheduled for 10 rounds. Also on the undercard, Uzbekistani Olympian Ruslan Abdullaev (3-0, 1 KO) will compete in an eight-round super lightweight bout, while knockout prospect Joel Iriarte (9-0, 8 KOs) will face off in an eight-round welterweight contest. Opponents for both fights will be announced soon.

Also part of the fight card, blue-chip prospect Cayden Griffiths (6-0, 6 KOs), of the Coachella Valley, will take a step up in competition against Managua, Nicaragua’s Lesther Espino (10-7, 8 KOs) in a six-round welterweight bout. In an eight-round super bantamweight clash, Sonora’s Gael “El Terror” Cabrera (10-0, 7 KOs) will measure up against Colonia, Uruguay’s Ruben Casero (13-5, 5 KOs). Los Angeles’ Scrappy Ramirez (15-1, 9 KOs) will return to the ring following his unanimous decision victory on the Jake Paul vs. Julio César Chávez Jr. undercard in June 2025, as he faces Matagalpa, Nicaragua’s Byron Rojas (29-5-3, 12 KOs) in a 10-round bantamweight bout.

Recently signed to Golden Boy and representing Santa Ana, undefeated middleweight Fabian Guzman (8-0, 7 KOs) will take on Guayaquil, Ecuador’s Jose Rodriguez (3-1, 2 KOs). Rounding out the card, Los Angeles’ Ricardo Ruvalcaba (14-0-1, 10 KOs) will face Buenos Aires, Argentina’s Jonathan Eniz (37-24-1, 17 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight contest.

In his most recent performance, Manny "Gucci Manny" Flores battled to a majority draw in a headline showdown against San Diego’s Jorge Chavez at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, leaving fans and fighters eager for an immediate rematch.

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, stringing together an impressive winning streak. 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.

Jorge “ El Niño Dorado” Chavez delivered a standout performance against Manuel “Gucci Manny” Flores, fighting to a 10-round majority draw in front of a roaring Coachella crowd in his latest outing. Facing 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. With an unbeaten professional record and growing momentum, Chavez is quickly emerging as one of the super bantamweight division’s most exciting fighters.

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ABOUT GOLDEN BOY: Los Angeles-based Golden Boy was established in 2002 by Oscar De La Hoya, the first Hispanic to own a national boxing promotional company. Golden Boy is a media and entertainment brand committed to making fighting entertainment more accessible and affordable. The company’s in-house production team develops creative original programming, holds the exclusive rights to top boxers, and has promoted some of the biggest and highest-grossing events in the history of the sport. Now, Golden Boy is one of the most successful boxing entertainment companies in the world and shapes the future of boxing for fighters and fans alike.