In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Raul Curiel upheld his undefeated status by clinching a unanimous decision victory over Jordan Panthen, who stepped in as a last-minute replacement for the bout held tonight on DAZN. With this achievement, Curiel's record now stands at an impressive 17 wins, no losses, and one draw, including 14 knockouts. He is now eager to pursue his next opportunity in the ring after missing out on a highly anticipated matchup against Alexis Rocha that ultimately did not materialize.
When it comes to the scoring of the fight, the three judges rendered two scorecards at 97-93 and one at 98-93, all favoring Curiel. This result aligns closely with the unofficial score provided by Bad Left Hook, which also saw Curiel winning by a score of 97-93.
In the aftermath of the match, it's essential to highlight that Jordan Panthen showcased immense heart and resilience throughout the contest, fighting valiantly despite being at a talent disadvantage. His performance was notably above what many had previously witnessed from him and is likely to earn him some respect and support from boxing fans, even in defeat. For Curiel, securing this win was crucial; a loss could have posed a significant setback in his career trajectory.
Turning to other bouts on the undercard, Jorge Chavez faced off against Manuel Flores in an exhilarating match characterized by alternating momentum. The latter rounds saw Chavez taking control, as he effectively capitalized on his opponent's weaknesses, landing clean shots while Flores struggled to mount any consistent offense. This bout served as a standout moment for Chavez, marking a significant breakthrough in his career.
In another matchup, Ruslan Abdulaev emerged victorious against Eduardo Abreu, stopping him in the fifth round after a series of damaging blows and a couple of knockdowns prompted the referee to intervene. While the fight extended longer than many observers would have preferred given the clear one-sided action, Golden Boy Promotions appears keen on fast-tracking Abdulaev towards a world title opportunity in the near future.
Lastly, young super welterweight prospect Cayden Griffiths, just 19 years old, faced a more challenging six-round contest than anticipated against Lesther Espino. Despite winning every round according to the judges' scorecards and scoring a knockdown in the second round, Griffiths could not find the way to secure a stoppage and instead went the distance for the first time in his burgeoning career.
