Espinoza Seeks to Cement Cinderella Story in Title Defense Against Chirino
Guadalajara, Mexico, June 21, 10 p.m. ET – Fresh off his stunning upset victory to claim the WBO featherweight title, Rafael Espinoza looks to solidify his Cinderella story when he takes on Sergio Chirino this Friday night, live on ESPN+.
Espinoza, 24-0 (20 KOs), pulled off BoxingScene’s Upset of the Year in 2023 when he dethroned the highly-touted Robeisy Ramirez to capture the world title. The 30-year-old Mexican fighter overcame the odds, rising from a knockdown in the fifth round to rally and earn a majority decision triumph.
Now, Espinoza faces the challenge of defending his crown against fellow Mexican Chirino, 22-1 (13 KOs). While Chirino’s record may not jump off the page, the 29-year-old from Oaxaca has shown the ability to overcome adversity, suffering his lone defeat against the tough Mauricio Lara back in 2018.
“The featherweight division is in flux, and the winner of this bout will position themselves for potential unification bouts or title challenges against the division’s other champions,” said a boxing analyst. “Both Espinoza and Chirino have proven to be resilient warriors, setting the stage for an intriguing main event showdown at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas.”
In the co-feature, junior lightweight prospect Andres Cortes, 21-0 (12 KOs), takes on recent title challenger Abraham Nova, 23-2 (16 KOs). Middleweights Troy Isley, 12-0 (5 KOs), and Javier Martinez, 10-0-1 (3 KOs), will also see action on the undercard.
This card promises to deliver high-stakes boxing action, as Espinoza looks to cement his status as a force in the featherweight division, while Chirino aims to spoil the champion’s Cinderella story.
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