Raul Curiel vs Victor Ezequiel Rodriguez Predictions: Rocked by Rocha, does the ‘Cugar’ still roar?

The WBA’s fifth-ranked welterweight Raul Curiel returns this Saturday, June 28 as he takes on Victor Ezequiel Rodriguez. The bout takes place on the Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. card at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. DAZN PPV will broadcast the event live. 

Here are my Raul Curiel vs Victor Ezequiel Rodriguez predictions ahead of this intriguing scrap.

Raul Curiel vs Victor Ezequiel Rodriguez Odds

Curiel is a big favourite at 1/18 while his opponent, Rodriguez, lags behind at 10/1. If you fancy the draw, it's available for your betting pleasure at 18/1.

 Raul Curiel vs Victor Ezequiel Rodriguez Fight Preview

2016 Olympian Curiel became the latest hot prospect to get sucked into the Alexis Rocha vortex last time out. The welterweight punisher had already the unbeaten records of Santiago Dominguez and Blair Cobbs, as well as halting the momentum of world-ranked Anthony Young.

Curiel came out with his unbeaten record intact at least. But a fighter once considered a can’t-miss prospect had questions asked by the quality Rocha. The fight was scintillating stuff and definitely one where you compliment the participants rather than chide them. But it is an assignment many thought Curiel would win.

Which perhaps explains the step-back in opposition here. Rodriguez is 16-0-1 but he has not faced this sort of opposition before. The Uruguayan has fought exclusively in either his homeland, Argentina or Brazil. Some quality fighters have emerged from those nations, but there is always a worry when a fighter who has fought exclusively within their region takes a sudden underdog assignment in the United States. 

But Curiel needs this. The Rocha fight was a firm test and a slight setback. Nothing critical to his career development but a sign that there remains a lot to learn about the pro game. I am an advocate of boxers having those fights, though. Sure, the precious ‘0’ might go, see Galal Yafai losing to Mexico’s ex world champion Francisco Rodriguez Jr. earlier this month. But I believe an athlete learns more when stretched to their limit than they can glean from 10 easy outings. Steel sharpens steel.

 Curiel might not be facing a man on Rocha’s level here, but he can apply those lessons against Rodriguez. The Uruguayan has domestic opposition almost exclusively, but he has assets. For one, ‘Latigo’ is finding his punch. After scoring five finishes in his first 14 fights, Rodriguez has knocked out his last four opponents in a row.

There is also a confidence to him. When Argentine journeyman Jose Acevedo held him to a draw, Rodriguez took an immediate rematch and outscored him. Admittedly, Acevedo is no worldbeater. But facing your fears against the first man to beat you is something many fighters have either avoided (Amir Khan neglecting to get back in with Briedis Prescott) or have failed at (Joe Joyce picking up back-to-back knockout losses to Zhilei Zhang).

That being said, nothing about Rodriguez strikes any particular fear into the Curiel-backing fan. ‘Cugar’ is more accomplished. He has superior power, knocking out 13 of his 16 opponents. Curiel’s fitness is good too. Courtney Pennington went down and out in the 10th round of his encounter with the Mexican. The power carries late.

This is a decent fight for Curiel. A bumper audience will be watching for the Jake Paul freakshow main event. The opponent is no mug, but also not a particular threat. This is a nice return for ‘Cugar’ after Rocha asked questions. The boxing world awaits the answers.

Raul Curiel vs Victor Ezequiel Rodriguez Full Card

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Raul “Cugar” Curiel vs Victor Ezequiel Rodriguez

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Raul Curiel vs Victor Ezequiel Rodriguez Prediction

Curiel has a statement to make. That he is a factor in this division and on the world scene. I think ‘Cugar’ will deliver that statement on Saturday night.

I see the Olympian taking Rodriguez apart in all honesty. Curiel is several steps above even the most accomplished boxers the Uruguayan has faced. I see the Mexican securing the stoppage at odds of 8/15.

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