Commentator Tim Bradley was impressed with WBO featherweight champion Rafael Espinoza (25-0, 21 KOs)'s fourth-round knockout victory over challenger Sergio Chirino (22-2, 13 KOs) on Friday night at the Blue Live Theater at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas.
(Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank)
After the fight, Bradley told the media that he believes the 6-foot-1 Espinoza might be the best fighter in the featherweight division, but he still wants to see him beat all the heavy hitters and get the job done.
Espinoza looked like pure 24-karat tonight, knocking Chirino down three times in the bout: once in rounds 1, 3 and 4. In the first round, Espinoza dictated the flow of the fight, landing an unexpected short left uppercut that sent Chirino to the canvas.
Chirino stood up, smiling and looking embarrassed, but Espinoza hurt him with a similar left uppercut at the end of the first round, a punch that made it clear that Chirino could not escape Espinoza's attacks and would continue to be hurt.
Espinoza’s potential as the best featherweight
“He could be, but he has to prove it in the ring. There are tough opponents at 126 pounds. He gets hit clean, but he can withstand it,” commentator Tim Bradley told media, discussing the possibility of WBO featherweight champion Rafael Espinoza becoming the strongest at 126 pounds after his fourth-round knockout win over Sergio Chirino on Friday night.
To prove he is the number one fighter in the featherweight division, Espinoza needs to beat these fighters:
– Bruce Carrington
– Ray Vargas
– Nick Ball
– Luis Lopez
– Robeisy Ramirez
– Otabek Khormatov
Carrington has more power and size than many fighters in the featherweight division and will be a tough opponent for Rafael Espinoza.
Bradley feels that Espinoza is easy to hit and will need to work on his defense to beat a player like Carrington.
Espinoza has been able to weather the lack of strong hitters he's faced thus far and poor defense, but that would be different if he faced Carrington, Khormatov or Luis Lopez.
Espinoza has a size advantage over Inoue.
“He's too big,” Bradley said when asked if Espinoza is too big for Naoya Inoue, who holds four super bantamweight belts. “They're trying to demonize Inoue.”
Espinoza may be too big for Naoya Inoue, but the Japanese star is taking his time to make weight so he may never get a chance, and Inoue may be worried about what might happen if he faces fighters like Espinoza, Lopez, Vargas, Robbie Cyril or Carrington.
“Shushu is [Carrington] Good for Raphael [Espinoza]It's difficult because you have to care about so many dimensions and diversity. [Espinoza] Raised uppercut [in round one against Chirino]“Very smooth,” Bradley said. “He turned his head and dodged it. [of Chirino’s right-hand shot that he threw at the same time]. “
Espinoza will likely face a rematch against Robbie Ramirez or another 126 champion before fighting Carrington. There are plenty of fighters who could end Espinoza's reign long before Carrington or Inoue beat him.
“Robbie Sean was a world-class fighter, a champion and a contender for Inoue, [Espinoza] I beat him. I knew it wasn't a coincidence. He [Espinoza] Off the canvas [in round five] They fought with such conviction and tenacity,” Bradley said.
“I knew he was going to stop him tonight. I told him on the phone. He was a tough opponent for Chirino. He's a great fighter. I wouldn't say world class, but he's unproven. He has a great amateur resume. He's beaten Robbie Ramirez a couple of times, so he's not a weakling by any means, but he made it look like an easy win tonight,” Bradley said of Espinoza.
