Boxing News: Espinoza Prepares for First Title Defense After Historic Upset
Rafael Espinoza, the current WBO featherweight champion, is gearing up for his first title defense after his Upset of the Year victory over Robeisy Ramirez last December. Despite the highs of becoming a world champion, the Mexican fighter remains hungry for more success.
“I hope that there are even better or nicer Christmases in the future,” said Espinoza through his translator Gabe Rivas, as he prepares to defend his title against Sergio Chirino tonight in Las Vegas.
While a Fourth of July triumph may not be in the cards, the 30-year-old native of Guadalajara is determined to retain his belt at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas. Espinoza aims to recapture the electric feeling he experienced when he dethroned the highly-touted Cuban fighter in Florida.
“I could say that it was the best moment of my life that I’ll never forget, and I’m going to continue to try to obtain those achievements,” Espinoza stated.
The new champion is well aware that maintaining momentum can be as challenging as capturing the title itself.
“I would say both are very difficult because to get there it requires lots of years of hard work,” he acknowledged. “And now as a world champion, it’s tough. You are going to face the best of the world, but you have the motivation of having done it already and having it built in you that you want to defend. So there’s more motivation to keep working hard.”
Espinoza’s rapid rise to the top is all the more remarkable given his limited amateur experience of just 11 fights before turning professional in 2013. However, the singer and guitarist credits his unorthodox path for shaping his fighting style.
“I didn’t really go to compete much as an amateur because I wasn’t part of the state team. I didn’t represent Mexico, but I got a lot of experience. I was sparring with professionals and that helped me a lot, I think more than if I had a long amateur career.”
The proof is in the undefeated 24-0 (20 KOs) record and the world featherweight title that Espinoza now proudly defends. And he embraces the challenge of facing a fellow Mexican in Chirino, seeing it as extra motivation.
“It provides me with more motivation because we know that Mexicans have a strong desire to have a good fight, and everyone knows that it’s tough against the Mexicans,” he said.
Espinoza’s combination of skill, determination, and captivating personality make him an ideal ambassador for the sport of boxing. As he aims to retain his title, the champion’s passion and pride in representing Mexico on the world stage shine through.
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