Christian Medina vs Adrian Curiel Preview Feb. 6th, 2026
WBO Bantamweight Champion Christian Medina of Mexico defends his title for the first time when he battles it out with fellow countryman and former IBF Light Flyweight Champion Adrian Curiel this Friday, February 6th. The 12-round affair from Guadalajara can be seen live on DAZN in most nations. Medina won the title in September when he stopped Yoshiki Takei in the fourth round in an upset in Japan. Curiel’s last outing resulted in a 10-round unanimous decision over Johan Rubio.
Medina vs Curiel Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Christian Medina +600
- Yoshiki Takei -1000
My Pick
Medina is just 25 years old and owns a record of 26-4 with 19 Ko’s and has 126 rounds of experience under his belt since making his pro debut in 2017 as a teenager. He possesses good power as 73.1 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage including his last five straight. He measures 5-feet-5-inches tall with a 67-inch reach. Medina’s first defeat came at the hands of Mario Victorino Vera by four-round unanimous decision in 2018.
He dropped a 10-round unanimous decision in 2019 to Benito Sanchez Garcia in a shot at the vacant WBC FECOMBOX Bantamweight Title and lost his next fight four months later when Ruben Gustavo Vega edged him via an eight-round split decision. Medina’s last loss was a 12-round unanimous decision to Ryosuke Nishida in 2023 in Osaka, Japan. Medina won the vacant WBC Youth Bantamweight Belt in 2021 by stopping Edinso Torres in just 164 seconds. He then added the vacant WBO Latino Bantamweight Title in November, 2024 when he stopped Alexis Molina Aguirre in the fifth round.
The 27-year-old Curiel climbs through the ropes with a mark of 26-6-1 with just 5 Ko’s and has boxed 229 rounds already since making his pro debut in 2016 as a teenager. He reportedly stands 5-feet-3 inches tall with a 64-inch reach so gives up two inches in height and four inches in reach to Medina. Curiel likes to switch between the orthodox and southpaw stance during most contests. He pulled off a major upset when knocking out Sivenathi Nontshinga in November, 2023 to take his IBF Light Flyweight Title. It was quite a shock as Curiel lacks power with just 19.2 per cent of his wins coming by stoppage. Nontshinga got payback in their February, 2024 rematch though as he halted Curiel in the 10th round.
Curiel also lost his next contest four months later when he dropped a nine-round technical unanimous decision to former world champion Sunny Edwards. Curiel’s other defeats came at the hands of Daniel Valladares by 10-round unanimous decision in 2018 in a shot at the WBC Youth Silver Light Flyweight Title; a six-round majority decision to Sergio Mejia two fights later in 2019; to Joselito Velazquez by 10-round unanimous decision the same year and to Cristian Gonzalez Hernandez via a 10-round majority decision in 2021. His lone draw was a four-round technical affair with Jose Ramirez Armenta in June, 2023.
Prediction…
There’s no question that Medina’s stoppage of Takei over in Japan was a bit of a surprise but it appears the youngster is just hitting his stride at the age of 25. Medina has a solid chin to go along with his power and has proven that he doesn’t have a problem when stepping up in class. However just 13 of his 30 opponents entered the ring with a winning record. As long as Medina lets his hands go like he did against Takei he should be able to establish himself as a legitimate champion and not just a flash in the pan. Curiel has an awkward style though so I doubt it’s going to be a walk in the park. Still, I’m expecting Medina to retain his belt Friday night.
Medina has the decided edge in power.
Play: Medina -1000 @ BetOnline.ag
Check out my recent boxing betting picks to see my current form.
Adrian Curiel betting • Christian Medina betting