Rafael Espinoza Stops Sergio Chirino, 4th Round Knockout To Retain WBO Featherweight Title
Rafael Espinoza (left) went down on Sergio Chirino, knocking him down three times in the fourth round on June 21 in Las Vegas. Photo credit: Mikey Williams, Top Rank
The clock has not yet struck midnight on Rafael Espinoza’s legendary run.
The WBO featherweight’s first successful defense included the undefeated Guadalajara native, who stopped Sergio Chirino in the fourth round. Espinoza knocked Chirino down three times to stop the show at 2:45 of the fourth round Friday on ESPN+ from the BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
“The difference is my desire and my hunger to be the best,” Espinoza told ESPN’s Bernardo Osuna. “It shows when I’m in the ring.”
Chirino entered the race hoping to be the first candidate from the Mexican state of Oaxaca. The aim was to showcase the Cinderella success story of her countryman. Espinoza (25-0, 21 knockouts), No. 6 at 126 by The Ring, upset Robeisy Ramirez (13-2, 8 KOs) in a Fight of the Year contender last Dec. 9 in Miami.
The opening round saw early success from Chirino, although Espinoza was always in position to make his night difficult. Chirino was made to pay for one miss on the right. Espinoza—at 6’1″, the tallest featherweight ever—counted with a left uppercut to clinch the first belt.
Momentum remains in favor of the defensive lineup during the scrimmage. Chirino managed to land a right with his hands up but those moments were buried by Espinoza’s fearsome accuracy from long and short range.
Espinoza returned to the uppercut to send Chirino back to the canvas late in the third. A brutal round saw Chirino land an alarming number of power shots at the top. He was able to slip a combination, but Espinoza answered with a right uppercut and a left hook to the body. Chirino fell to the canvas but was able to beat the count and get out of the round.
That same luxury wasn’t granted until one round later.
Chirino (22-2, 13 KOs) quickly ran out of room in the ring but went down swinging for the fourth time. It was his retreat as Espinoza took the fight. Two left hands forced Chirino to turn around and land a third and final knee. Referee Raul Caiz Jr. he started counting before he chose to quit the tournament.
The setback ended Chirino’s 12-fight winning streak as he was unsuccessful in his first title fight. He landed just 34-of-153 punches (22.2%) on the night
Meanwhile, Espinoza’s career continues to grow.
The jury was out even after her fling with Ramirez last year. He survived a goal to score another of his own in their memorable match. He was very strong on Friday and prepared to face all comers on the road.
“It’s time to put this division together,” insisted Espinoza, who landed 101-of-283 punches (35.7%) in just four rounds. “There’s a man out there who wants a rematch—Robeisy Ramirez. I will take some time off and talk to my team to find out what is best for our work.”
