IT got here as a shock on the finish of 2023 when Robeisy Ramirez was dethroned by unheralded challenger Rafael Espinoza following 12 rounds of intensely thrilling motion. Robeisy had seemingly shaken off the shock of a debut defeat to get again on observe. Shedding a battle was, for the Cuban, presupposed to be an anomaly…after which he misplaced for the second time.
Robeisy misplaced his title in a warfare to Espinoza
On this event, defeat got here on the fierce fists of a Mexican featherweight with unfathomable peak for the burden. That very same fighter, Rafael Espinoza, can clearly punch, as he confirmed on Friday night towards Sergio Chirino.
The Robeisy Ramirez rematch could effectively come subsequent. Bruce Carrington can also be sniffing round for a shot. As time and fights transfer on, one factor is turning into extra obvious: the long-term ruler of the featherweight division in all probability isn’t going to be Robeisy Ramirez.
As a substitute, it might be the person Eric Armit watched grind his challenger into the Las Vegas mud. Rafael Espinoza is not unknown. The WBO champion seems to be as harmful as any of his championship contemporaries and, in time, might rise above all of them.
Spherical 1
The four-inch taller Espinoza instantly compelled Chirino again along with his jab and landed a few left hooks to Chirino’s physique. Chirino landed a fast left hook to Espinoza’s head. Espinoza saved throwing his jab, after which, as Chirino threw a proper, Espinoza punched inside it with a brief left hook to the jaw that dumped Chirino on his rump. Chirino was up at 4, then moved to clear his head and fired punches on the bell.
Rating: 10-8 Espinoza
Spherical 2
Espinoza was once more utilizing his jab to maintain Chirino retreating, with Chirino throwing counters and connecting with an occasional proper. Espinoza drove dwelling straight rights, after which they each landed rights. Espinoza damage Chirino with physique punches.
Rating: 10-9 Espinoza (Espinoza 20-17)
Spherical 3
Espinoza was working his jab once more and throwing lengthy rights. Chirino had no actual reply to Espinoza’s jab and was being caught by hooks to the physique. Espinoza chased Chirino alongside the ropes after which despatched Chirino again throughout the ring with rights.
As Espinoza adopted Chirino across the ring, he landed a proper that introduced blood from Chirino’s nostril. Beneath a burst of punches, Chirino bent over, put each gloves on the canvas and was given a rely. The bell went on the finish of the rely.
Rating: 10-8 Espinoza (Espinoza 30-26)
Spherical 4
Espinoza landed a sequence of hooks to the physique then a jab and a proper to the physique that had Chirino backing off. Espinoza chased Chirino across the ring till he landed a few uppercuts. Chirino bent over double and put his gloves on the ground.
The referee began the rely, however Chirino was clearly in ache from the nostril damage, so the referee stopped the rely and the battle. Espinoza was making the primary defence of the WBO title he had received by outpointing Robeisy Ramirez in December.
At 6’1”, he’s tall for a featherweight, and with 21 wins by KO/TKO, he additionally has energy. Chirino had received his final 13 fights towards modest opposition who had been nowhere close to being rated, and his No. 12 place with the WBO was laughable – however no joke.
