Rafael Espinoza
{{short description|Mexican boxer (born 1994)}}
{{Infobox boxer
|name=Rafael Espinoza
|image=
|image_size=
|caption=
|realname=Rafael Espinoza Zepeda
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1994|04|21|mf=y}}
|birth_place=La Palma, Michoacan, Mexico
|nationality=
|nickname=El Divino
|weight=Featherweight
|height=6 ft 1 in
|style=Orthodox
|total=26
|wins=26
|KO=22
|losses=
|draws=
|no contests=
}}
Rafael Espinoza Zepeda (born April 21, 1994) is a Mexican professional boxer who has held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight title since December 2023.
Professional career
Espinoza turned professional in 2013 and compiled a record of 24–0. Before turning professional, Rafael Espinoza amassed only 11 amateur fights in his entire amateur career.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/39080579/robeisy-ramirez-falls-little-known-rafael-espinoza-stunning-upset|title=Robeisy Ramirez falls to little-known Rafael Espinoza in stunning upset|date=10 December 2023 |publisher=ESPN|access-date=2023-12-10}}{{cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/rafael-espinoza-trades-knockdowns-with-robeisy-ramirez-takes-majority-decision-win-wbo-title--179889|title=Rafael Espinoza Trades Knockdowns With Robeisy Ramirez, Takes Majority Decision To Win WBO Title|date=10 December 2023 |publisher=Boxingscene|access-date=2023-12-10}}
= WBO Featherweight Champion =
== Espinoza vs. Ramírez ==
On December 9, 2023, at Charles F. Dodge City Center in Pembroke Pines, Florida, Espinoza defeated Robeisy Ramírez in a major upset by majority decision to become a new WBO featherweight champion.{{cite news |title=Espinoza rocks Ramirez, takes belt in huge upset |url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/39080579/robeisy-ramirez-falls-little-known-rafael-espinoza-stunning-upset |work=ESPN.com |date=10 December 2023 |language=en}}
== Espinoza vs. Chirino ==
Espinoza was scheduled to make the first defense of his WBO featherweight title against Sergio Chirino on June 21, 2024, at BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau in Las Vegas.{{cite news |last1=Iskenderov |first1=Parviz |title=Rafael Espinoza faces Sergio Chirino in Las Vegas in June |url=https://www.fightmag.com/rafael-espinoza-faces-sergio-chirino-in-las-vegas-in-june/ |work=FIGHTMAG |date=10 May 2024}} He won the fight by TKO in the fourth round, dropping the challenger three times in the first, third and fourth rounds.{{cite news |last1=Iskenderov |first1=Parviz |title=Rafael Espinoza drops & stops Sergio Chirino to retain title |url=https://www.fightmag.com/video-rafael-espinoza-drops-stops-sergio-chirino-to-retain-title/ |work=FIGHTMAG |date=22 June 2024}}{{cite news |title=Rafael Espinoza Destroys Sergio Chirino In 4th Round Knockout - Boxing Results - Latest Boxing News |url=https://www.boxing247.com/boxing-news/rafael-espinoza-destroys-sergio-chirino-in-4th-round-knockout-boxing-results/279716 |work=www.boxing247.com |date=22 June 2024}}
== Espinoza vs. Ramírez 2 ==
Espinoza defeated Robeisy Ramírez by TKO after six rounds when Ramírez sustained an eye injury during a rematch at Footprint Center in Phoenix, AZ on December 7, 2024.{{cite news |last1=Iskenderov |first1=Parviz |title=Video: Robeisy Ramirez quits rematch against Rafael Espinoza in sixth round |url=https://www.fightmag.com/video-robeisy-ramirez-quits-rematch-against-rafael-espinoza-in-sixth-round/ |work=FIGHTMAG |date=8 December 2024}}{{cite news |title=Rafael Espinoza vs. Robeisy Ramirez 2 results: Espinoza retains WBO title in six, Ramirez blames elbows {{!}} Sporting News United Kingdom |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/uk/boxing/news/rafael-espinoza-vs-robeisy-ramirez-2-results-rematch/6852549e919208882e7aff2f |work=www.sportingnews.com |date=8 December 2024 |language=en-gb}}
== Espinoza vs. Vazquez ==
Espinoza is scheduled to make the third defense of his WBO featherweight title against Edward Vazquez at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on May 4, 2025.{{cite news |last1=Iskenderov |first1=Parviz |title=Rafael Espinoza vs Edward Vazquez set as co-feature on Inoue-Cardenas card |url=https://www.fightmag.com/rafael-espinoza-vs-edward-vazquez-set-as-co-feature-on-inoue-cardenas-card/ |work=FIGHTMAG |date=14 March 2025}}
Professional boxing record
{{BoxingRecordSummary
|draws=
|nc=
|ko-wins=22
|dec-wins=4
|ko-losses=
|dec-losses=
}}
| class=wikitable style=text-align:center |
| {{abbr|No.|Number}}
!Result !Record !Opponent !Type !Round, time !Date !Location !Notes |
|---|
| 26
|{{yes2}}Win |26–0 |align=left|Robeisy Ramírez |TKO |6 (12), {{small|2:42}} |7 Dec 2024 |align=left|{{small|Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.}} |align=left|{{small|Retained WBO featherweight title}} |
| 25
|{{yes2}}Win |25–0 |align=left|Sergio Chirino Sanchez |TKO |4 (12) |Jun 21, 2024 |align=left|{{small|Fontainebleau Las Vegas, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.}} |align=left|{{small|Retained WBO featherweight title}} |
| 24
|{{yes2}}Win |24–0 |align=left|Robeisy Ramírez |MD |12 |Dec 9, 2023 |align=left|{{small|Charles F. Dodge City Center, Pembroke Pines, Florida, U.S.}} |align=left|{{small|Won WBO featherweight title}} |
| 23
|{{yes2}}Win |23–0 |align=left|Ally Mwerangi |KO |2 (10) |Jul 15, 2023 |align=left|{{small|Restaurante Arroyo, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico}} |align=left| |
| 22
|{{yes2}}Win |22–0 |align=left|Rafael Rosas Ramirez |TKO |3 (8) |Mar 25, 2023 |align=left|{{small|El Domo del Code Jalisco, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico}} |align=left| |
| 21
|{{yes2}}Win |21–0 |align=left|Orlando Garcia Guerrero |TKO |1 (10) |Nov 19, 2022 |align=left|{{small|Arena Astros, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico}} |align=left| |
| 20
|{{yes2}}Win |20–0 |align=left|Gerardo Valenzuela Munoz |TKO |1 (8) |Jun 25, 2022 |align=left|{{small|Palenque Fex, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico}} |align=left| |
| 19
|{{yes2}}Win |19–0 |align=left|Jose Gonzalez Ayala |KO |3 (10) |Apr 2, 2022 |align=left|{{small|PALCCO, Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico}} |align=left| |
| 18
|{{yes2}}Win |18–0 |align=left|Alie Laurel |KO |1 (10) |Feb 19, 2022 |align=left|{{small|Plaza Monumental, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico}} |align=left| |
| 17
|{{yes2}}Win |17–0 |align=left|Aramis Solis |KO |1 (6) |Sep 25, 2021 |align=left|{{small|Complejo Deportivo La Inalámbrica, Merida, Yucatán, Mexico}} |align=left| |
| 16
|{{yes2}}Win |16–0 |align=left|Carlos Ornelas |UD |10 |Jan 16, 2021 |align=left|{{small|Grand Hotel, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico}} |align=left| |
| 15
|{{yes2}}Win |15–0 |align=left|Luis Guzman Rios |TKO |2 (8) |Jun 27, 2020 |align=left|{{small|Gimnasio TV Azteca, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico}} |align=left| |
| 14
|{{yes2}}Win |14–0 |align=left|Diego Andrade Chavez |TKO |5 (8) |Jul 7, 2018 |align=left|{{small|Domo del Parque San Rafael, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico}} |align=left| |
| 13
|{{yes2}}Win |13–0 |align=left|Cristian Cortes Gonzalez |TKO |6 (6) |Feb 17, 2018 |align=left|{{small|Domo del Parque San Rafael, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico}} |align=left| |
| 12
|{{yes2}}Win |12–0 |align=left|Juan Jose Lopez Alcaraz |TKO |6 (6) |Dec 9, 2017 |align=left|{{small|Domo del Parque San Rafael, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico}} |align=left| |
| 11
|{{yes2}}Win |11–0 |align=left|Mario Cruz |TKO |6 (8) |Oct 29, 2016 |align=left|{{small|Arena Coliseo, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico}} |align=left| |
| 10
|{{yes2}}Win |10–0 |align=left|Jesus Marcelino Alvarez |KO |2 (6) |Jul 23, 2016 |align=left|{{small|Gimnasio Usos Múltiples UdeG, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico}} |align=left| |
| 9
|{{yes2}}Win |9–0 |align=left|Eden Marquez |KO |1 (6) |Jun 4, 2016 |align=left|{{small|Gimnasio Usos Múltiples UdeG, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico}} |align=left| |
| 8
|{{yes2}}Win |8–0 |align=left|Juan Jose Francisco Marquez Solano |KO |1 (6) |Mar 12, 2016 |align=left|{{small|Arena Jalisco, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico}} |align=left| |
| 7
|{{yes2}}Win |7–0 |align=left|Karl Garcia |UD |4 |May 30, 2015 |align=left|{{small|Florentine Gardens, Hollywood, California, U.S.}} |align=left| |
| 6
|{{yes2}}Win |6–0 |align=left|Agapito Garcia |KO |1 (6) |Mar 20, 2015 |align=left|{{small|Gimnacio Municipal de Box, Nogales, Sonora, Mexico}} |align=left| |
| 5
|{{yes2}}Win |5–0 |align=left|Carlos Bacasegua Luzania |KO |3 (6) |Nov 7, 2014 |align=left|{{small|Forum del Mayo, Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico}} |align=left| |
| 4
|{{yes2}}Win |4–0 |align=left|Victor Serrano Islas |TKO |5 (6) |Jul 11, 2014 |align=left|{{small|Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.}} |align=left| |
| 3
|{{yes2}}Win |3–0 |align=left|Luis Macias |TKO |2 (4) |Nov 1, 2013 |align=left|{{small|Auditorio Morelos, Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, Mexico}} |align=left| |
| 2
|{{yes2}}Win |2–0 |align=left|Oscar Pena |UD |6 |May 18, 2013 |align=left|{{small|Foro Polanco, Polanco, Distrito Federal, Mexico}} |align=left| |
| 1
|{{yes2}}Win |1–0 |align=left|Victor Valadez |TKO |3 (4) |Feb 15, 2013 |align=left|{{small|El Gran Mexicano, Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico}} |align=left| |
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Boxrec|id=668600}}
- [https://box.live/boxers/rafael-espinoza/ Rafael Espinoza - Profile, News Archive & Current Rankings] at [https://Box.Live Box.Live]
{{s-start}}
{{s-sports}}
{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=World boxing titles}}
{{s-bef|before=Robeisy Ramírez}}
{{s-ttl|title=WBO featherweight champion
|years=December 9, 2023 – present}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-ach|aw}}
{{s-before|before=Jai Opetaia W 12
Mairis Briedis I}}
{{s-ttl|title=The Ring Upset of the Year
{{small|W 12 Robeisy Ramírez}}
|years=2023}}
{{s-after|after=Bruno Surace KO6
Jaime Munguia}}
{{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Espinoza, Rafael}}
Category:Boxers from Guadalajara, Jalisco
Category:World featherweight boxing champions