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Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel Deliver An All-Action Draw
Golden Boy Boxing’s final card of 2024 delivered an early Christmas gift for fans of high-level action fights. Welterweights Alexis Rocha of Santa Ana, California (25-2-1, 16 KOs) and undefeated Raul Curiel of Guadalajara, Mexico (15-0-1, 13 KOs) both had impressive moments in a back-and-forth battle.
It was in no way a disappointment when neither fighter won or lost in a majority draw. Judge Pat Russell scored it 116-112 for Rocha; Fernando Villareal and Dr. Lou Moret scored it 114-114.
Not many draws get a positive reaction from the fighters, but the fight between Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel was so even and entertaining, it was the right result. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing
Both Rocha and Curiel expressed enthusiasm for running it back. “Absolutely, 100 percent. He already knows,” said Rocha.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, the people want to see it! Let’s run it back!” said Curiel, thanking his team and family, ending with, “Arriba Mexico, arriba Tampico, arriba mi familia, I need a vacation, man, thank God!” with a big laugh. “Let’s finish it, let’s run this shit back, baby,” agreed Rocha.
Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel Deliver
Alexis Rocha used his speed and movement to land solid body shots on Raul Curiel. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing
It was an evenly matched fight between two power punches with great chins and zero fear. Both fighters list their reach at 70 inches, but Curiel had the reach edge and appeared bigger than Rocha. Rocha’s advantages are his punching speed, and his experience fighting far better opposition to date than Curiel.
Rocha started off boxing, winning early rounds with disciplined slickness and skill. But at his heart, Rocha loves a brawl. Fans at the Toyota Center made their feelings clear, encouraging both fighters to engage.
Rocha and Curiel didn’t deny them their fun.
Rocha’s trainer Hector Lopez encouraged him in the middle rounds to start moving forward. Rocha did solid work to the body, followed by hooks in combination. But Curiel is a master of inside fighting with a solid right uppercut, and he landed it too often for Rocha’s liking.
Raul Curiel’s best punch is his right uppercut, and Alexis Rocha gave him the opening to land it. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing
Despite the firepower both gave and took, neither fighter appeared seriously hurt or rocked. Both men also had exceptional stamina, which kept the fight moving quickly.
Both trainers presciently told their fighter he needed to win the 12th round. It turned it even closer than they thought.
“It was a very close fight, close rounds,” said Rocha. He would flurry a little bit, but I felt like I had the harder shots. I wanted to take him into deep waters. I know he hasn’t been tested like that. I respect this guy, man! It fucking 12 rounds all-out war!”
“I promised a war, we promised a war,” replied Curiel. “Let’s do this again!”
“He’s a good boxer. I tell you before, he’s a great boxer, he’s a good southpaw. We do a war, the people are happy right now. If you want to do this again, Let’s do this again. I respect Rocha, and I respect the people. God bless you all!”
Alexis Rocha said his loss to Giovani Santillan forced him to learn how to adjust better in the ring. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing
Rocha said he was able to make more adjustments thanks to the experience he gained in a loss to Giovani Santillan last year. “I’m growing as a fighter, every single fight. Good fighter, we’ll run this shit back, no doubt about it. I’ll make the adjustments more, and it will be a different fight the next time around.” Not too different, please.
Charles Conwell Ends Year With KO Win
Charles Conwell ended his fight on a series of left hooks to stop Gerardo Vergara in the seventh round. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing
Super welterweight Charles Conwell of Cleveland (21-0, 16 KOs) dominated Gerardo Luis Vergara of Buenos Aires, Argentina (20-1, 13 KOs), stopping him in seven rounds. It was a strong third performance and third knockout win for Conwell in 2024 after an 18-month layoff.
Vergara came in with a solid undefeated record and had never been stopped. He showed he was durable, but not durable enough.
“He was tough. He’s undefeated. He came with a winning mindset. He came out wanting to win, but, you know, we broke him down and got him out of there,” said Conwell, who said he would continue to build on his performance and improve.
Charles Conwell drilled Gerardo Vergara through all seven rounds. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing
Wearing red and green trunks trimmed in white fur that wouldn’t look out of place on Santa, Conwell filled Vergara’s stocking up with coal. He calmly delivered a full menu of power punches, unleashing combinations while catching anything Vergara sent his way.
In the seventh, Conwell stepped up the pace, setting Vergara up with body punches, then catching him with a hard left hook. As Vergara wobbled on his feet, Conwell landed a trio of hard left hooks, forcing referee Thomas Taylor to step in just as the round ended.
“I stopped him with a barrage of hooks. I hit him with like five left hooks, back to back to back to back, and the referee jumped in and saved him,” said Conwell.
Conwell staying busy the past year after signing with Golden Boy gave him the feeling of his prospect years and given him his momentum back. Asked about his plans for 2025, Conwell made it clear: “Big fights,” naming Sebastian Fundora, Bahkram Murtazaliev, and his top target, Vergil Ortiz Jr.
Conwell landed 136 of 313 punches thrown (43%); Vergara landed 72 or 381 punches thrown (20%).
Scrappy Ramirez Beats Bui By Decision
John “Scrappy” Ramirez got a decision victory over previously undefeated Ephraim Bui. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing
Popular super lightweight John “Scrappy” Ramirez of Los Angeles (14-1, 9 KOs) took on Ephraim Bui of Texas (10-1, 8 KOs) and delivered a scrap nearly as wild as the crazy-looking gloves Ramirez wore into the ring. The California State Athletic Commission barely approved them.
Bui started off strong, but once Ramirez settled down and figured out Bui’s timing, he caught up quickly, landing hard right hooks and rattling Bui down to the final bell to get the win.
Marlen Esparza Wins, Title Fight in 2025?
Marlen Esparza put together an excellent performance against veteran Mexican flyweight Arcely Mucino. Photo: Cris Esqueda, Golden Boy Boxing
Former flyweight world champion Marlen Esparza of Houston (15-2, 1 KO) mixed it up in an action fight against Arley Mucino of Mexico (34-5-2, 11 KOs), winning by decision in the ten-round bout fight. Scores were 98-92, 98-92, and 97-93 for Esparza.
Both Esparza and Mucino are veterans at age 35, and both needed a win to stay relevant in a competitive division.
Whether Esparza will be willing to tangle with undisputed, unified champion Gabriela Fundora will be a choice she’ll need to make. It is the most significant, high-level fight if Esparza wants to test herself and go out with a bang either way.
