Newly crowned WBO featherweight champion Rafael Espinoza will make the first defence of his title against Sergio Chirino Sánchez on 21 June at Fontainebleau in Las Vegas. If successful, the busy Mexican boxer and puncher could find himself in the running to join Naoya Inoue in the title race.
Despite an unbeaten record and a high knockout percentage, Mexico's Espinoza defeated then-champion Robbie Ramirez to claim the title on December 9 at the Charles F. Dodge City Center in Pembroke Pines, Florida.
clock: Rafael Espinoza vs. Sergio Chirino Sanchez, exclusively on ESPN+
Espinoza (24-0, 20 KOs) came into the bout as a huge underdog and was considered an afterthought by most fans and pundits while Ramirez was a two-time Olympic champion, on a roll since losing his pro debut (and later getting revenge) and in the running for a big-money super fight.
When the bell rang to start the bout, the boxing world was in for a huge surprise. Espinoza dominated Ramirez from start to finish, and despite suffering a knockdown in the fifth round, he took control of the bout thereafter and wore down the champion. Espinoza then knocked him down in the 12th round to secure the majority decision victory and fulfill a lifelong dream.
According to CompuBox, the new champion landed 222 of an astounding 995 punches, which was the deciding factor in the bout. Ramirez landed 119 of 376, a paltry figure by comparison. The Cuban star couldn't contain the onslaught, and he didn't have the power to counter it.
The Sporting News took a closer look at Espinoza's career and assessed his chances of defeating “The Monster.”
Who is Rafael Espinoza?
Born on April 21, 1994 in La Palma, Michoacan, Espinosa turned professional at the age of 18. Like most of his countrymen, “El Divino” was very active and his talent was evident from the early stages of his career.
Of his 20 knockouts, 15 came within the third round and seven came in the first round. None of Espinosa's opponents were big names, but he moved up a weight class last year and fought three 10-round bouts before his title bout.
Ramirez's win was his first step towards the top level and a sure sign of his ability.
When will Naoya Inoue move up to featherweight?
Inoue has already proven himself at super bantamweight and is now the undisputed champion. Stephen Fulton (TKO 8), Marlon Tapales (KO 10) and Luis Nery (KO 6) were arguably the toughest opponents in the division, but they were all systematically defeated.
The WBA has ordered Inoue to face Murodjon Akhmadaliev next. The Uzbek native is a former unified 122-pound champion, but would be a huge underdog against one of the best fighters in the world. If Inoue wins, there will be very few worthy opponents in the super bantamweight division, and he may have to move up a weight class.
Speaking with The Ring's Daisuke Sugiura earlier this year, Inoue said he was open to moving up a weight class in 2025.
“I plan to fight three times this year,” Inoue said, “and I think those three fights will be at super bantamweight. Moving up to featherweight will depend on my condition and my fitness next year.”
How big is Rafael Espinosa compared to Naoya Inoue?
Those numbers are big. Inoue is 5'5″ with a 67.5″ reach, while Espinoza is 6'1″ with a 74″ wingspan. That's an 8″ height advantage and a 6.5″ reach advantage.
A 6-1 record for a featherweight is almost unheard of, but it does happen, and Inoue has beaten taller and bigger fighters in the past, but none have been able to match Espinoza.
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Can Rafael Espinosa beat Naoya Inoue?
Now reality sets in. Beating Robbie Ramirez is one thing, beating pound-for-pound superstar Naoya Inoue is quite another.
Though Inoue is small in stature, the Japanese star has the tools necessary to overwhelm Espinoza, as we see the monster slide inside and land slams almost exclusively to the body.
It's conceivable that Espinoza could win a few rounds and cause some technical issues, but it's hard to imagine him staying on the offensive for 12 rounds. It's more likely that Inoue will wear down the WBO champion with clean, effective punches and a relentless body attack, then land something to end the bout.
With both fighters promoted by Top Rank, we can expect to see this matchup in 2025 if Espinoza can remain undefeated and retain his world title.
