Commentator Tim Bradley was impressed with the fourth-round knockout victory by WBO featherweight champion Rafael Espinoza (25-0, 21 KOs) over challenger Sergio Chirino (22-2, 13 KOs) on Friday night time on the BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
(Credit score: Mikey Williams/High Rank)
After the bout, Bradley informed the media that he believes the 6’1″ Espinoza is perhaps one of the best fighter within the featherweight division, however he nonetheless needs to see him accomplish that job by beating all of the killers.
Tonight, Espinosa appeared like pure 24k gold, pulling down Chirino thrice within the contest, as soon as in rounds one, three, and 4. Within the first spherical, Espinoza set the tone for the battle, nailing Chirino with a brief left uppercut that he by no means noticed coming to ship him to the canvas.
Though Chirino was smiling and looking out embarrassed when he returned to his ft, Espinoza nailed him with an analogous left uppercut that harm him as the primary spherical ended. That punch made it clear that Chirino couldn’t get out of the best way of Espinoza’s photographs and would hold getting harm.
Espinoza’s Potential because the Greatest Featherweight
“He would possibly properly be however you continue to have gotten to show it inside that ring. There are some killers at 126. He will get hit cleanly, however he can take it,” mentioned commentator Tim Bradley to the media, speaking about WBO featherweight champion Rafael Espinoza doubtlessly being one of the best at 126 following his fourth-round knockout win over Sergio Chirino on Friday night time.
For Espinoza to show he’s the #1 fighter at featherweight, he’s going to wish to beat these fighters:
– Bruce Carrington
– Rey Vargas
– Nick Ball
– Luis Lopez
– Robeisy Ramirez
– Otabek Kholmatov
Carrington could be a troublesome opponent for Rafael Espinoza as a result of he has extra energy and measurement than lots of the fighters within the featherweight division.
Bradley feels that Espinoza would want to work on his protection to beat guys like Carrington as a result of he’s too straightforward to hit.
Espinoza has gotten away with having poor defensive abilities to this point as a result of none of his opponents are large punchers, however that will change if he fought Carrington, Kholmatov, or Luis Lopez.
Espinoza’s Measurement Benefit over Inoue
“He’s too large,” Bradley mentioned when requested whether or not Espinoza is just too large for Naoya Inoue, who holds all 4 belts at tremendous bantamweight. “They’re attempting to place the boogeyman on Inoue.
Espinoza is perhaps too large for Naoya Inoue, however we’d not ever get an opportunity as a result of the Japanese star is taking his time about transferring up in weight. Inoue is perhaps fearful about what would occur if he took on fighters like Espinoza, Lopez, Vargas, Robeisy and Carrington.
“I believe Shu-Shu [Carrington] does properly towards Rafael [Espinoza]. It’s a troublesome out as a result of it’s important to fear about so many dimensions and flexibility. he [Espinoza] turned up that uppercut [in round one against Chirino],” mentioned Bradley. “It’s so clean. He twisted his head and bought his head out of the best way [of Chirino’s right-hand shot that he threw at the same time].”
Earlier than Espinoza fights Carrington, he’s more likely to have a rematch with Robeisy Ramirez and different champions at 126. There are numerous fighters that would finish Espinoza’s reign lengthy earlier than Carrington or Inoue get to him.
“Robeisy is a world-class fighter, a champion, and was thought of for Inoue, and he [Espinoza] defeated him. I knew it wasn’t a fluke. The way in which that he [Espinoza] bought off the canvas [in round five] and fought with that a lot conviction and tenacity,” mentioned Bradley.
“I knew he was going to cease him tonight. I informed him on the decision. He was going to be an excessive amount of for Chirino. He’s an ideal fighter. I wouldn’t say world-class. He hasn’t confirmed himself but. An awesome newbie pedigree. He has a few wins over Robeisy Ramirez, so he ain’t no slouch, however he made it look straightforward tonight,” mentioned Bradley about Espinoza.
