The rematch between top-10 welterweight contenders Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel is no longer moving forward on Friday.

Rocha had issues cutting weight Wednesday for the weigh-in scheduled Thursday and was hospitalized, Curiel's manager Frank Espinoza told The Ring.

After an hourslong search for a replacement opponent, Jordan Panthen was summoned to replace Rocha in a 158-pound catchweight fight scheduled for 10 rounds at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California on DAZN.

"Raul and Alexis had a faceoff at the events center on Wednesday around 5 p.m. and then Rocha got sick while he was in the process of cutting weight and went to the hospital, we were told," said Espinoza.

Rocha (25-2-1, 16 KOs) and Curiel (16-0-1, 14 KOs) fought to a majority draw during a December 2024 firefight. Rocha did not fight in 2025 due to injuries, while Curiel, a 2016 Mexican Olympian, knocked out Victor Rodriguez in his only fight in June.

Rocha is The Ring's No. 7 welterweight contender, and Curiel is ranked eighth.

“The Patriot” Panthen (11-1, 9 KOs), a cowboy-turned-contender, is in the saddle with the surprise opportunity. Panthen will try to get back into the win column after the first loss of his career in July to Farid Ngoga by majority decision.