LAS VEGAS — Rafael Espinoza returns to the ring for the primary time as a champion on Friday as he places his WBO featherweight world title on the road in opposition to fellow Mexican fighter Sergio Chirino on the luxurious casino-resort Fontainebleau in Las Vegas.
Espinoza received the belt because the underdog in 2023 when he engaged Robeisy Ramirez in a Battle of the 12 months contender close to Miami, overcoming a fifth-round knockdown and twisted ankle to drop Ramirez and earn a win by way of majority resolution.
Numerous Mexican champions known as Espinoza after his massive win. “Julio Cesar Chavez and Marco Antonio Barrera known as and it stuffed me with pleasure now that they name me a champion,” he informed World Boxing Information by way of a translator.
“They stated that I’ve coronary heart, and never many boxers have that. I’m blissful about that.”
The Ramirez combat was the primary time Espinoza boxed in the USA, however due to his 6-foot-1 body and fan-friendly type, it turned a launchpad to compete on ESPN+ within the US as soon as once more this weekend.
“I’m coming with all the need to win this combat on Friday,” the 30-year-old informed us Wednesday.
Espinoza threw an absurd 995 punches at Ramirez throughout their barnburner, touchdown 222 pictures for a 22.3% join charge.
With the belt draped over one shoulder, and a champion’s smile, he appeared like a pure on stage and off of it — and sounded assured he would repeat that success as soon as extra on the street.
Chatting with World Boxing Information, he even stated he’d welcome a “dream” combat in opposition to pound-for-pound sensation Naoya Inoue, who has grow to be a scorching ticket in Japan.
“My dream is to grow to be a pound-for-pound fighter,” Espinoza informed WBN completely. “And I feel {that a} combat with him will put me there. When that day comes, I’ll win.”
We requested High Rank COO Bradley Jacobs if such a combat might materialize sooner or later, as there may be growing discuss that Inoue might quickly go away the tremendous bantamweight division to affix Espinoza at featherweight.
“It’s simply so laborious to invest on what occurs, you recognize, guys should win and every kind of issues,” Jacobs informed us.
“However, by no means say by no means,” he added. “I do know there’s a protracted listing of people that wish to combat Inoue. I don’t know why — I wouldn’t wish to combat Inoue! However It’s definitely inside the realm of prospects.”
Espinoza, although, refuses to get sidetracked from his most fast project — defeating Chirino at BleauLive Theater inside Fontainebleau.
“However, first, I’m going to win this combat,” he stated. “Which is the one factor I’ve in my thoughts proper now, and in my head — to placed on a very wonderful present.”
Placing on a very wonderful present is one thing Mexican fighters at all times appear to vow when they’re competing in opposition to each other in a essential occasion.
For Jacobs, it’s due to the lineage and cultural historical past of the fighters and folks from that area.
“I feel there’s one thing within the water in Mexico that makes these guys combat the best way they do,” he joked.
“It’s simply distinctive to the territory within the area and to the fighters, simply one thing of their blood, their lineage, their historical past. It’s terrific.
“And anytime you place two nice Mexican fighters collectively, it’s going to be as spectacular.”
Espinoza additionally summarized it for World Boxing Information. “Now we have that blood of people that by no means wish to give up,” he stated.
“That’s individuals who persist and proceed dreaming, so I feel that’s why in these fights, you at all times see two Mexican fighters create a struggle.”
The Espinoza vs Chirino combat airs on ESPN+ within the US, and Sky Sports activities within the UK and Eire.
Alan Dawson is World Boxing Information Lead Author, a 2 x Sports activities Journalist of the 12 months finalist, and 5 x BWAA awards winner. Comply with Alan @AlanDawsonSport.
