Key Highlights
- However, the second bout was disappointingly canceled on Thursday after Rocha was hospitalized and forced to withdraw just 36 hours out. Luckily for boxing fans, though, Jordan Panthen stepped in to replace Rocha, and he picked up right where Curiel and Rocha left off in their welterweight thriller. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAlthough Curiel defeated Panthen by unanimous decision (97-93, 97-93, 98-92) Friday night at the Acrisure Arena at Greater Palm Springs in Palm Desert, California, it's safe to say Panthen's stock rose in defeat. Panthen (11-2, 9 KOs), who had a noticeable size advantage, pressured Curiel (17-0-1, 14 KOs) from the opening bell.
- He used a stiff jab and head movement to push Curiel backward and break the distance.
- When Panthen entered punching range, he unleashed short, powerful combinations, attacking Curiel's body and going up through the middle with uppercuts. Panthen lifted Curiel's chin with the uppercut just after the one-minute mark in Round 2 and continued to pour the pressure on Curiel in the second frame.
- Curiel was intent on outsmarting Panthen, using his speed advantage to land eye-catching counters and to slow him down with body shots.
- An uppercut counter from Curiel was effective in the opening minute of Round 3, but Panthen came back later in the session with an uppercut of his own and a strong chopping right. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe underdog had a strong opening three rounds, but the tide began to turn in Round 4.
