Acrisure Arena to host first-ever boxing event in January

PALM DESERT, CALIF. (KESQ) — Golden Boy Promotions will kick off its 2026 fight calendar with the first-ever boxing event at Acrisure Arena.

The fights are scheduled for Friday, Jan. 16 and will be broadcast exclusively on DAZN.

Headlining the card, NABO Welterweight Champion Alexis “Lex” Rocha (25-2-1, 16 KOs) and NABF Welterweight Champion Raul “El Cugár” Curiel (16-0-1, 13 KOs) will finally settle the score after their heated first meeting ended in a draw.

This fight is scheduled for 12 rounds between two of the top contenders in the sport.

On the undercard, Coachella Valley’s Manuel “Gucci Manny” Flores (20-1-1, 16 KOs) and Tijuana’s Jorge “El Niño Dorado” Chavez (14-0-1, 8 KOs) will meet in a rematch from their fight in July that ended in a controversial draw.

The super bantamweight clash is scheduled for 10 rounds.

“I feel blessed to be making an appearance in this new arena,” said Manuel Flores. “I am ready to showcase in this rematch that we are on different levels.” 

“Everyone knows I won our last fight,” said Jorge Chavez. “Manuel knows this, the fans know this, his team knows this and more importantly I know this. Now it’s my job to take this out of the judges’ hands and to show Manuel once and for all who the real winner is between us.” 

For more information on the fights, click HERE.

Stay with KESQ News Channel 3 for continuing coverage.