Rafael Espinoza

Rafael Espinoza
Born
Rafael Espinoza Zepeda

(1994-04-21) April 21, 1994 (age 30)
La Palma, Michoacan, Mexico
Other namesEl Divino
Statistics
Weight(s)Featherweight
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Reach74 in (188 cm)[1]
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights26
Wins26
Wins by KO22

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.[2][3]

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.[4]

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.[5] He won the fight by TKO in the fourth round, dropping the challenger three times in the first, third and fourth rounds.[6][7]

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.[8]

Professional boxing record

26 fights 26 wins 0 losses
By knockout 22 0
By decision 4 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
26 Win 26-0 Robeisy Ramírez TKO 6 (12), 2:42 7 Dec 2024 Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. Retained WBO featherweight title
25 Win 25–0 Sergio Chirino Sanchez TKO 4 (12) Jun 21, 2024 Fontainebleau Las Vegas, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBO featherweight title
24 Win 24–0 Robeisy Ramírez MD 12 Dec 9, 2023 Charles F. Dodge City Center, Pembroke Pines, Florida, U.S. Won WBO featherweight title
23 Win 23–0 Ally Mwerangi KO 2 (10) Jul 15, 2023 Restaurante Arroyo, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
22 Win 22–0 Rafael Rosas Ramirez TKO 3 (8) Mar 25, 2023 El Domo del Code Jalisco, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
21 Win 21–0 Orlando Garcia Guerrero TKO 1 (10) Nov 19, 2022 Arena Astros, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
20 Win 20–0 Gerardo Valenzuela Munoz TKO 1 (8) Jun 25, 2022 Palenque Fex, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
19 Win 19–0 Jose Gonzalez Ayala KO 3 (10) Apr 2, 2022 PALCCO, Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico
18 Win 18–0 Alie Laurel KO 1 (10) Feb 19, 2022 Plaza Monumental, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
17 Win 17–0 Aramis Solis KO 1 (6) Sep 25, 2021 Complejo Deportivo La Inalámbrica, Merida, Yucatán, Mexico
16 Win 16–0 Carlos Ornelas UD 10 Jan 16, 2021 Grand Hotel, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
15 Win 15–0 Luis Guzman Rios TKO 2 (8) Jun 27, 2020 Gimnasio TV Azteca, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
14 Win 14–0 Diego Andrade Chavez TKO 5 (8) Jul 7, 2018 Domo del Parque San Rafael, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
13 Win 13–0 Cristian Cortes Gonzalez TKO 6 (6) Feb 17, 2018 Domo del Parque San Rafael, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
12 Win 12–0 Juan Jose Lopez Alcaraz TKO 6 (6) Dec 9, 2017 Domo del Parque San Rafael, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
11 Win 11–0 Mario Cruz TKO 6 (8) Oct 29, 2016 Arena Coliseo, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
10 Win 10–0 Jesus Marcelino Alvarez KO 2 (6) Jul 23, 2016 Gimnasio Usos Múltiples UdeG, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
9 Win 9–0 Eden Marquez KO 1 (6) Jun 4, 2016 Gimnasio Usos Múltiples UdeG, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
8 Win 8–0 Juan Jose Francisco Marquez Solano KO 1 (6) Mar 12, 2016 Arena Jalisco, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
7 Win 7–0 Karl Garcia UD 4 May 30, 2015 Florentine Gardens, Hollywood, California, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Agapito Garcia KO 1 (6) Mar 20, 2015 Gimnacio Municipal de Box, Nogales, Sonora, Mexico
5 Win 5–0 Carlos Bacasegua Luzania KO 3 (6) Nov 7, 2014 Forum del Mayo, Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico
4 Win 4–0 Victor Serrano Islas TKO 5 (6) Jul 11, 2014 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Luis Macias TKO 2 (4) Nov 1, 2013 Auditorio Morelos, Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, Mexico
2 Win 2–0 Oscar Pena UD 6 May 18, 2013 Foro Polanco, Polanco, Distrito Federal, Mexico
1 Win 1–0 Victor Valadez TKO 3 (4) Feb 15, 2013 El Gran Mexicano, Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico

See also

References

  1. ^ "BoxRec: Rafael Espinoza". boxrec.com. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  2. ^ "Robeisy Ramirez falls to little-known Rafael Espinoza in stunning upset". ESPN. 10 December 2023. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  3. ^ "Rafael Espinoza Trades Knockdowns With Robeisy Ramirez, Takes Majority Decision To Win WBO Title". Boxingscene. 10 December 2023. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  4. ^ "Espinoza rocks Ramirez, takes belt in huge upset". ESPN.com. 10 December 2023.
  5. ^ Iskenderov, Parviz (10 May 2024). "Rafael Espinoza faces Sergio Chirino in Las Vegas in June". FIGHTMAG.
  6. ^ Iskenderov, Parviz (22 June 2024). "Rafael Espinoza drops & stops Sergio Chirino to retain title". FIGHTMAG.
  7. ^ "Rafael Espinoza Destroys Sergio Chirino In 4th Round Knockout - Boxing Results - Latest Boxing News". www.boxing247.com. 22 June 2024.
  8. ^ Iskenderov, Parviz (16 October 2024). "Rafael Espinoza vs Robeisy Ramirez rematch set for Navarrete-Valdez 2 co-feature". FIGHTMAG.
Sporting positions
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBO featherweight champion
December 9, 2023 – present 		Incumbent
Awards
Previous:
Jai Opetaia W 12
vs. Mairis Briedis I 		The Ring Upset of the Year
W 12 vs. Robeisy Ramírez
2023 		Incumbent