It was a surprise at the end of 2023 when Robeisy Ramirez was dethroned by rival Rafael Espinoza following 12 rounds of highly entertaining action. Robeisy appeared shocked by the first defeat to get back on track. Losing a war, for a Cuban, should have been an irony… and then he lost a second time.
Robeisy lost his title in the fight to Espinoza
In this event, the defeat came from the brutal boxing of a Mexican featherweight with an inexplicable height in weight. That same fighter, Rafael Espinoza, can hit well, as he showed on Friday evening against Sergio Chirino.
A repeat of Robeisy Ramirez may follow. Bruce Carrington also sniffs for a shot. As time and fights go on, one thing is becoming clear: the long-term ruler of the featherweight division probably won’t be Robeisy Ramirez.
Instead, it can be a man Eric Armit watched him grind his challenger into the dust of Las Vegas. Rafael Espinoza is unknown. The WBO champion looks as dangerous as any competitor of his era and, in time, may rise above them all.
Round 1
The four-inch tall Espinoza quickly forced Chirino back with his jab and landed several left hooks to Chirino’s body. Chirino landed a left hook to Espinoza’s head. Espinoza kept throwing his jab, and when Chirino threw a right, Espinoza landed a short left hook to the jaw that dropped Chirino on his butt. Chirino had woken up at four o’clock, then moved to clear his head and pounded his fists on the metal.
Score: 10-8 Espinoza
Round 2
Espinoza again used his jab to keep Chirino back, Chirino throwing counters and connecting with a right for a while. Espinoza drove straight rights home, and they both landed rights. Espinoza hurt Chirino with body punches.
Score: 10-9 Espinoza (Espinoza 20-17)
Round 3
Espinoza was working his jab again and throwing long rights. Chirino had no real answer to Espinoza’s jab and was caught with hooks to the body. Espinoza chased Chirino off the ropes and then brought Chirino back into the ring with rights.
As Espinoza followed Chirino into the ring, he landed a right that drew blood from Chirino’s nose. Under a flurry of punches, Chirino bent down, put both gloves on the canvas and was given the count. The bell rang at the end of the countdown.
Score: 10-8 Espinoza (Espinoza 30-26)
Round 4
Espinoza landed a series of hooks to the body then a jab and a right to the body that Chirino backed up. Espinoza chased Chirino around the ring until he landed a few uppercuts. Chirino bent twice and put his gloves down.
The referee started to count, but Chirino was obviously in pain from his nose injury, so the referee stopped the fight. Espinoza was making his first defense of the WBO title he won by knocking out Robeisy Ramirez in December.
At 6’1”, he’s tall for a featherweight, and with 21 KO/TKO wins, he’s powerful. Chirino had won his last 13 fights against opponents who didn’t even come close to weighing in, and his number 12 ranking in the WBO was being laughed at – but no joke.
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