Alexis Rocha (25-2-0, 16 KO's) weighed 146.4 lbs. for the DAZN Main Event and the NABO & NABF Welterweight title is on the line against Raul Curiel (15-0, 13 KO's) weighed 146.6 lbs. 

 

They are ready to go right now 👀#RochaCuriel | LIVE on DAZN Dec. 14 pic.twitter.com/p8EHhJnv86

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) December 13, 2024

Three-division champion Emanuel “El Vaquero” Navarrete (38-2-1, 31 KOs) defends his WBO junior lightweight world title against former two-division king Oscar Valdez (32-2, 24 KOs) in an all-Mexican main event this Saturday, Dec. 7, at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

Navarrete aims for a knockout in the sequel, while the Eddy Reynoso-trained Valdez believes he can turn the tables and become a three-time world champion.

In the co-feature, Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza (25-0, 21 KOs) defends his WBO featherweight world title against Cuba’s Robeisy “El Tren” Ramirez (14-2, 9 KOs), the man he unseated one year ago to seize the crown.

Espinoza looks to prove that his title-winning effort was no fluke, while Ramirez is eager to show what he can do at his best after personal issues hindered his preparation for their first encounter.

Navarrete-Valdez 2 & Ramirez-Espinoza 2 will be broadcast LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT.

The ESPN+-streamed undercard begins at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT and includes the return of unbeaten Mexican junior welterweight contender Lindolfo Delgado (21-0, 15 KOs), who will face Jackson Marinez (22-3, 10 KOs) in a 10-round clash.

U.S. Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. (11-0, 10 KOs) makes his fourth appearance of the year in an eight-round heavyweight tilt against once-beaten Mexican Issac Muñoz (18-1-1, 15 KOs), while welterweight contender Giovani Santillan (32-1, 17 KOs) looks to bounce back from his first pro defeat in a 10-rounder versus Fredrick Lawson (30-5, 22 KOs).

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets are still available via Ticketmaster.com.

This is what the fighters had to say at Thursday's press conference.

Emanuel Navarrete

“We all know that we both plan to come out and give a war and leave everything in the ring again. And what better way to do it than by having a co-main event that's gonna eat things up?”

“The bar is gonna be set really high and so we're gonna have to try to do better than that. It's gonna be hard especially with these two great people {Espinoza and Ramirez} right next to us. It's gonna be difficult for both me and Valdez. However, we don't need much. All we need is for the bell to ring for us to go to war.”

“I'm focused 100 percent on him. I haven't thought about anything beyond Valdez. And now he's coming with a different strategy. The first fight helped us learn about each other. And now we will use the tools that we extracted from the first fight. And, aside from using our experience with each other, we will also come with the same heart as last time. And so, I can't say much, but no doubt it will be not just a fight but an epic event, especially with the co-main before us."

Oscar Valdez

“The {Liam Wilson fight} was very important for me because boxing penalizes you if you have a lot of losses. It’s not like other sports where you can lose and you can do better in the next season. In boxing, most people don’t want to see you again after a couple of losses. So, doing that fight was very important for me. That’s why there was so much emotion for me after that fight. And that fight got me the ticket for this rematch.”

“This is not an easy fight. This is a hard task. But nothing in life that is worth it is going to be easy. It’s always going to be hard. So, we trained hard. I’m excited for this. I’m excited to face the great ‘Vaquero' once again. It’s going to be a great fight.”

"I visualized this. I feel I can do a lot more in the sport. After I lost, I went back home and was obviously sad and disappointed in my performance. But then you go back to the gym, and you start to work out. Then, you start to see that you can do better. So, you have to visualize it first. And now we are here. Let’s get it on.”

Rafael Espinoza

“God's timing is perfect. We waited a bit for the rematch, but now we are here. And like I've said since the first fight, I've always wanted a rematch. because it was a war where we both gave everything. So, he deserved it, I deserved it, and the people deserved it."

“Knowing you are a champion affects you mentally. As a champion, you know that you have a big commitment, and so I've become a better person and a better fighter as a result, and I'm enjoying it.”

“Yes, we all know about my height advantage, but I also have another advantage, and that's my heart. So, I'm going to show my heart by giving everything in the ring this Saturday.”

Robeisy Ramirez

“Well, it's no secret that we're not the only fighters here. The main event will also be a war. So I'm happy to be here. I'm excited to be with these champs here. And overall, we want the public to enjoy this event.”

“I think that to mention things from the past right now is unnecessary because it sounds like excuses, and I will never give excuses in this sport. Simply put, I think that I learned how you should fight when you're not at 100% physically and mentally.”

“It was very nice to see my parents again recently. It had been six years. It's no secret that I can't return to Cuba, and so it filled me with a lot of satisfaction to be able to see them, to embrace them, to spend time with them, and I hope that after this victory, I can repeat that as soon as possible.”

Lindolfo Delgado

“{My last bout against Bryan Flores} was not easy. It was a tough fight. I’m happy with the result. I’m happy it ended that way because it took me out of my comfort zone and pushed me to be better, work harder, and prepare for what is next.”

“This is what I’ve been waiting for. I’m focused on my fight because I know it’s a tough fight. I’m looking for an opportunity at a world title. I have what it takes to fight against anyone and against any of those champs. I’m just waiting for that opportunity.”

Richard Torrez Jr.

"I was saying I don't care about {the knockout streak}, but in the Uber back to the hotel from the venue {following a DQ win in September}, the driver asked me, 'What's your record?' I was like 11-0 with, oh, 10 knockouts. So, that does kind of sting a little bit. But, at the end of the day, I'm here to win, and I'm here to put on good performances. I did that last time, and I'm looking to continue doing that."

"{Muñoz} is rated the number one heavyweight in Mexico. He's been on the amateur scene for a while, and he knows what he's doing. I'm really excited for this fight."

"Every time I train, I train for a world championship fight. I don't train for the opponent. I train to be the best boxer I can be, and on Saturday night, you will see that."

Giovani Santillan

"Losing is tough, but it's part of the sport. And that's what I signed up for, to take on the hard, tough fights. Sometimes you lose, but that one loss is not going to hold me back from getting to where I want to get to."

"Ever since I went back to camp, everyone has been supportive. They all believe in me, and since then, it's been about working on strategy and game plan for this fight. But also my preparation. A lot of it has to do with my weight cut and things like that."

"That's the way I was raised by my dad. Sometimes, you fall, but you get back up and keep going. That's the mentality I've had since {my defeat}."

Tickets for Rocha vs. Curiel are on sale and are priced at $100, $75, $50 and $25 not including applicable service charges. A limited amount of Golden Boy VIP Experience tickets will also be available for purchase with exclusive merchandise and fight night upgrades included. Standard and VIP tickets for purchase at Ticketmaster.com, Toyota-arena.com, Goldenboy.com or the Toyota Arena box office Monday through Friday from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

The media credentials form is open and can be found at the Golden Boy website. Applications are due EOD, December 9.

In the co-main event, the highly ranked, undefeated world title contender Charles “Bad News” Conwell (20-0, 15 KOs) will return to the ring in a 10-round super welterweight fight against Buenos Aires, Argentina’s Gerardo Vergara (20-0, 13 KO’s). With two straight knockout performances since signing with Golden Boy, Conwell will look to impress yet again against the tough Argentinian who also has had an impressive knockout streak and has held several regional titles.

Making his great return, John “Scrappy” Ramirez (13-1, 9 KOs) is making a comeback into the ring against Sugar Land, Texas’ undefeated Ephraim Bui (10-0, 8 KOs) in a 10-round super flyweight fight. In a crossroads fight, U.S. Olympic Medalist and former unified world champion Marlen Esparza (14-2, 1 KOs) and former four-time World Champion Arely “Ametralladora” Mucino (32-4-2, 11 KOs) of Monterrey, Mexico will battle it out in a 10-round super flyweight bout. Opening the DAZN Broadcast with a 10-round super featherweight fight, Victor “El Tornado” Morales (19-0-1, 9 KOs) of Vancouver, Canada and Ensenada, Mexico’s Jose Ortiz (16-2-1, 6 KOs) will kick off the broadcast.

On the Golden Boy Fight Night: Rocha vs. Curiel Prelims that are streamed live on the Golden Boy YouTube Channel, Tijuana, Mexico’s Jorge “El Niño De Oro” Chavez (12-0, 8 KOs) will participate in an eight-round super bantamweight fight against Ruben Casero (12-3, 4 KOs) of Colonia, Uruguay. In a six-round super bantamweight fight, Sonora, Mexico’s Gael “El Terror” Cabrera (5-0, 3 KOs) will measure up against former world champion challenger of General Santos City, Philippines, Garen Diagan (10-5, 5 KOs). Moreno Valley’s Joshua “El Americano” Garcia (9-0, 4 KOs) will fight Uhlices Avelino-Reyes (2-1, 1 KO) of Omaha, Nebraska in a six-round super featherweight match.

Also on the prelims, Ventura, California’s Ricardo Ruvalcaba (12-0-1, 10 KOs) will participate in a six-round super lightweight medley, and Fabian Guzman (5-0, 5 KOs) of Orange will participate in a four-round super welterweight fight with both of their opponents soon to be announced. Opening fight night, Amarillo, Texas’ Javier Meza will make his professional debut against Findley, Ohio’s David Music (0-1) in a four-round super lightweight bout.

Naoya Inoue will defend his super bantamweight crown against unbeaten Australian contender Sam Goodman on Tuesday, Dec. 24, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo.

Inoue will make an unprecedented third defense of his undisputed crown within a single calendar year while looking to secure his 10th consecutive knockout.

Inoue-Goodman will headline a special early-morning broadcast streaming live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+. In the co-feature, Yoshiki Takei (10-0, 8 KOs) will defend his WBO bantamweight world title against an opponent to be named.

Inoue (28-0, 25 KOs) began his four-belt legacy in December 2022 when he stopped Paul Butler to unify all the bantamweight titles. Then, within a little over a year, the 31-year-old knocked out WBC/WBO champ Stephen Fulton in July 2023 and WBA/IBF king Marlon Tapales that December to achieve undisputed glory in a second weight class. He made history again in May by headlining the first boxing card at the Tokyo Dome since the historic Mike Tyson-Buster Douglas showdown, overcoming a first-round knockdown before icing former two-division world champion Luis Nery in six. In September, he registered a seventh-round TKO over one-time junior featherweight king TJ Doheny.

Goodman (19-0, 8 KOs) is a 26-year-old Australian who entered the paid ranks in 2018. He went 4-0 in 2023, earning points victories over Doheny as well as then-unbeaten talents Ra’eese Aleem and Zhong Liu. He authored a fourth-round TKO against Mark Schleibs in March before decisioning previously unbeaten Thachtana Luangphon across 12 in July.

The former unified junior lightweight queen defeated bitter rival Sandy Ryan (7-2-1, 3 KOs) via majority decision to capture the WBO welterweight world title Friday evening at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Tensions were high leading up to the fight, with Mayer accusing Ryan of poaching her longtime training team—a claim Ryan denied. The animosity carried into the ring with intense exchanges throughout the fight.

Mayer’s strategy was to step to her left to avoid Ryan’s hooks. In doing so, she created space for counter rights and lefts as Ryan tried to close the distance. Though Ryan shifted the momentum by stumbling Mayer with a hook in the sixth, Mayer responded by hurting her with a counter in the eighth.

As Ryan increased the pressure, Mayer prevailed in most of the exchanges and clinched the victory with scores of 97-93 and 96-94, overruling one judge’s 95-95 draw.

Mayer said, "It was similar to how I thought it would go. I always said before that I respected Sandy as a boxer. She has a big pedigree, just like myself, but I knew I was gonna beat her to the punch. I knew I was faster. I knew I was sharper. And that's exactly what I did.

“I picked it up halfway through the fight, like I always do. I always turn it on in that second half of the fight. And she just couldn't handle my timing. So, I felt like I won the fight, and I'm just glad I got the right decision this time.

“I want to finish what I started and go undisputed. I came very close at junior lightweight. But my body outgrew that weight. I'm comfortable now. I feel like I'm stronger than ever. I’m still in my prime, as you can see. So I'm coming for the other champions.”

Ryan said, "I'm obviously disappointed, and I'm not taking nothing away from the decision. But before coming to the venue, I don't know if you guys seen, but I had a hit and run {with paint outside the hotel}. And that was definitely set up. I'm not taking nothing away from the win, but it unsettled me.

"It threw me off a bit of my game plan because I just wanted to fight. And you saw at the start of the fight, I was handling her quite well on the jab. I was boxing her and then I started to pick it up. But then, I was obviously pushing it too hard.

“It's nice to fight in America again. But I just don't like the circumstances that happened to me before the fight. But I can't take nothing away from that. It is what it is.”

Twenty For Twenty

Puerto Rican junior middleweight Xander Zayas (20-0, 12 KOs) wanted to end tonight's co-feature with a stoppage, but the durable Damian Sosa (25-3, 12 KOs) wasn’t going down easily, pushing the 22-year-old to settle for a shutout unanimous decision (100-90 3x).

Zayas quickly found his rhythm, sitting on his punches by the third round and answering Sosa’s pressure with sharp counterpunches. Whenever Sosa advanced, Zayas responded with precise power shots, alternating between body and head.

By the middle rounds, Zayas was in total command, buzzing Sosa with a right hand in the sixth. Despite seeking the finish, Zayas couldn't put Sosa away, as the Mexican warrior held on until the final bell.

Zayas said, “He pushed me and elevated me to the next level. Now, I feel like I'm ready. Before, I felt like I was ready. But now I think I let everybody know that I'm ready for the elite names.

“Man, they said he throws 84 punches per round. I didn't see that today. I did my job. Now, I just have to be calm, relax, and see what my promoter wants. I want whoever is in the top five.”

Daniel Dubois etched his name among the elite in heavyweight division with a stunning knockout victory over former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium. Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs) ended the fight in the fifth round with a hard right hand that sent Joshua crashing to the canvas.

Joshua (28-4, 25 KO's) tried to get up but was too hurt to do so and was counted out by the referee.

In the first round itself it was evident that Dubois can topple bigger opponent as he floored Joshua to begin a series of knockdown---once in first, third, fourth and finally knocking Joshua out in the fifth.

Dubois' victory marked a significant turning point in his career, solidifying his status as a force in the heavyweight division. He was once viewed as a promising prospect. Dubois had faced setbacks in the past, but his performance against Joshua showcased his immense power and determination.

The bout was a thrilling spectacle from start to finish. Both fighters came out swinging, eager to establish their dominance. Dubois' aggressive style and heavy hands were immediately apparent, while Joshua sought to use his experience and ringcraft to neutralize his opponent.

However, it was Dubois who landed the decisive blow. In the fifth round, he caught Joshua with a perfectly timed right hand that sent the former champion tumbling to the canvas. Joshua was unable to recover, and the referee waved off the fight.

Naoya “The Monster” Inoue will make defense number two of his undisputed super bantamweight crown against former world champion TJ Doheny.

Inoue (27-0, 24 KOs), a four-division world champion and pound-for-pound standout, has made Ariake Arena his boxing home in recent years. It’s where he knocked out Paul Butler to win the undisputed bantamweight title in December 2022, defeated Stephen Fulton for two super bantamweight titles in July 2023, and dominated Marlon Tapales for the undisputed crown last December. Doheny (26-4, 20 KOs) is 4-0 when fighting on Japanese soil, including a knockout win over Bryl Bayogos on the Inoue-Luis Nery undercard at Tokyo Dome in May.

In the co-feature, WBO bantamweight world champion Yoshiki Takei (9-0, 8 KOs) will make his first title defense against former WBC flyweight champion Daigo Higa (21-2-1, 19 KOs).

Timothy Bradley, Jr. and Bernardo Osuna will call the action.

(Photo: Nauki Fukuda)

• Naoya Inoue 121 3/4 lbs. vs. Luis Nery 121 lbs

ESTIMATED RING WALK TIME: 7:35 a.m. ET/4:35 a.m. PT
(Inoue's Undisputed Junior Featherweight World Title - 12 Rounds)
Referee: Michael Griffin
Judges: Benoit Roussel, Jose Roberto Torres and Adam Height

• Jason Moloney 117 3/4 lbs vs. Yoshiki Takei 117 3/4 lbs
ESTIMATED RING WALK TIME: 6:25 a.m. ET/3:25 a.m. PT
(Moloney's WBO Bantamweight World Title — 12 Rounds)
Referee: Steve Willis
Judges: Benoit Roussel, Ellis Johnson and Lou Moret

• Takuma Inoue 117 3/4 lbs vs. Sho Ishida 117 3/4 lbs
ESTIMATED RING WALK TIME: 5:20 a.m. ET/2:20 a.m. PT
(Inoue's WBA Bantamweight World Title — 12 Rounds)
Referee: Luis Pabon
Judges: Pinit Prayadsab, Kazunobu Asao and Michiaki Someya

• Seigo Yuri Akui 112 lbs vs. Taku Kuwahara 112 lbs
ESTIMATED RING WALK TIME: 4:10 a.m. ET/1:10 a.m. PT
(Akui's WBA Flyweight World Title — 12 Rounds)
Referee: Raul Caiz Jr.
Judges: Pinit Prayadsab, Jose Roberto Torres and Yoshikazu Furuta 

BROOKLYN, NY (April 20, 2024): After months of enduring ridicule and scorn from so-called experts who gave who him no shot at victory, Ryan “Kingry” Garcia (25-1, 20 KOs) shocked the world Saturday night in Brooklyn, flooring Devin “The Dream” Haney (31-1, 15 KOs) three times en route to a majority decision victory, capping an action-packed Golden Boy Promotions card at the Barclay’s Center.

Garcia of Victorville, Calif. rocked Haney in the middle of the first round with a left hook and rolled through the back of the half of the fight to secure the decision by scores of 115-109, 114-110 and 112-112.

“I shouldn’t have put too much pressure on myself to stop him, because every time I hurt him, I went crazy and I couldn’t stop him,” said Ryan Garcia. “I think the ref should’ve stopped the fight. He (Haney) was really hurt. I felt bad, I even looked at Bill to stop the fight. [Regarding the point being deducted in seventh round] The guy was holding me for dear life, and I felt the opportunity to keep swinging while my hands were free. I should’ve knocked him out that seventh round. They stole that from me. I’m surprised he has so much heart and recovery. He got wobbled bad in the first round. I thought it was over. He even hurt me with a hook. At the end of the day, I’m going to fight him, win or lose.”

“Ryan just shocked the world and proved once and for all that he is the face of boxing and a pound-for-pound athlete in our sport,” said Golden Boy Promotions Chairman Oscar De La Hoya. “Despite all of the talk from armchair psychologists and so-called boxing pundits, Ryan clearly had a plan and executed it.”

In a co-main event for the WBO Intercontinental Super Lightweight Title, Arnold Barboza, Jr. (30-0, 11 KOs) defeated Sean 'The Public Nuisance' McComb (18-2, 5 KOs) via split decision in a back and forth 10-round fight that went the distance. McComb fought off his back foot the whole night as Barboza Jr. slowly tried to get in. Ultimately the fight ended in Barboza’s favor with the judges scoring the fight 96-94 and 97-93 in Barboza’s favor and 92-98 in McComb’s favor.

“I felt good. It was a very tricky fight,” said Arnold Barboza Jr., “He was a lefty, tall and he moved a lot. He gave me a lot of trouble, but it was a learning experience. I’ll be back better. We’re going to talk to Oscar and see what’s next.”

Retaining his WBA Intercontinental Super Middleweight Title, Bektemir “Bully” Melikuziev (14-1, 10 KOs) went to war with Frenchman Pierre Dibombe (22-1-1, 12 KOs) in a fight scheduled for 10-rounds. The nonstop action left both fighers cut with battle scars; the corner doctor stopping the fight due to a deep gash over Melikuziev’s eye caused by an accidental headbutt. The judges went to the scorecards, awarding the “Bully” the technical decision victory with scores of 79-73, 78-74 and 79-73.

“He was a good opponent. Unfortunately, the fight was stopped,” said Bektemir Melikuziev. “During the fight he kept coming forward with his head. There was nothing I could do. I just needed another minute or two in the ring to finish the fight. I slowed down a bit because I felt that my opponent was getting tired.”

David “Medallita” Jimenez (16-1, 11KOs) of Cartago, Costa Rica pulled off an upset win against fan favorite John “Scrappy” Ramirez (13-1, 9 KOs) of Los Angeles, Calif. claiming the WBA Interim Super Featherweight Title via unanimous decision in a 12-round grudge match. Jimenez won with scores of 111-117, 112-116 and 111-117 all in his favor.

“I am very happy to become a champion again. I want to thank Golden Boy for the opportunity,” said David Jimenez. “I am ready to plan for what’s next. I felt great in the ring, and I felt like I was controlling the fight from the second round. Scrappy has a good punch and is a good boxer. Like all fighters, I want to become undisputed.”

Charles "Bad News" Conwell (19-0, 14 KOs) of Cleveland, Ohio opened the DAZN PPV card in spectacular fashion as he stopped Nathanial Gallimore (22-8-1, 17 KOs) of Des Plaines, Illinois in the sixth round via TKO in a super welterweight fight originally scheduled for 10 rounds. Conwell won the fight with a time of 0:52 of the aforementioned round.

“I feel good,” said Charles Conwell. “It was the coming back party. I thought he was a tough-game fighter. He came with a lot of experience, but I did what no other fighter has done. I stopped him in the sixth round. I don’t think any other fighter has beat him as bad as I did. He was a tough fighter and I appreciate him for taking the fight. We’re looking to get back in the ring asap, sometime in July or August. I’m back in the gym getting better. The ring rust is off. We’re ready for what’s next.”

On the preliminary card, Sergiy “The Technician” Derevyanchenko (15-5, 10 KOs) of Brooklyn, New York defeated Vaughn Alexander (18-11-1, 11 KOs) of St. Louis, Missouri via unanimous decision in a 10-round Super Middleweight bout. Derevyanchenko won with scores of 100-89 by all three judges. Darius “DFG” Fulghum (11-0, 10 KOs) of Houston, Texas successfully defended his WBA Continental Super Middleweight Title against Cristian Olivas (22-11, 19 KOs) of Baja California, Mexico stopping him in the fourth round via TKO in a fight originally scheduled for eight-rounds. Fulghum won with a time of 0:50 of the aforementioned round.

Also a part of the preliminaries, Jonathan “Sugar Cane” Canas (4-0, 2 KOs) of Houston, Texas beat Markus Bowes (2-6, 2 KOs) of Roxboro, North Carolina via unanimous decision in a 4-round Super Lightweight bout. Canas won with scores of 40-36 by all three judges. Amari Jones (12-0, 11 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada beat Armel Mbumba-Yassa (10-2, 7 KOs) of Remscheid, Germany via TKO in the sixth round of an 8-round Super Middleweight fight. Jones won with a time of 0:39 in the aforementioned round. In a dazzling KO, Kevin Newman II (16-3-1, 1 KO) of Las Vegas, Nevada stopped Eric Robles (9-4, 8 KOs) of Tijuana, Mexico via TKO in the fourth round of an 8-round Cruiserweight fight. Newman II won with a time of 1:53 in the aforementioned round. Opening fight night, Shamar Canal (8-0, 4 KOs) of Albany, New York defeated Pedro Borgaro (7-2, 4 KOs) of Sonora, Mexico via unanimous decision in a six-round super lightweight bout with scores of 60-53.

 

William Zepeda delivered what's expected as he pummeled the former champion Max Hughes to retirement after 4 rounds of domination. Watch below highlight from DAZN.

The Fighter of the Night is brought to you by @monkeymanmovie, a new action film presented by Universal Pictures available in theaters across the US April 5.#ZepedaHughes pic.twitter.com/4TlvdBBdwx

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 17, 2024