The featherweight division is about to heat up on Cinco de Mayo Weekend with an exciting clash between WBO champion Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza and former world title challenger Edward Vazquez. Set for Sunday, May 4, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, this bout will serve as the co-feature to the undisputed junior featherweight showdown between Naoya Inoue and Ramon Cardenas. It’s all going down as part of a packed card that Top Rank promise will celebrate the rich tradition of Mexican boxing.
Watch Espinoza vs. Ramirez highlights: Watch
Espinoza earned his stripes by dethroning two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez in a dramatic upset back in December 2023. Many experts labeled it ESPN’s Upset of the Year after Espinoza rebounded from a fifth-round knockdown and dropped Ramirez in the final round to secure a majority decision. He’s already made two successful defenses, including a brutal rematch stoppage of Ramirez, and is now looking to make it three in a row. If there’s one thing he’s proven, it’s that he packs serious power in his towering frame.
Vazquez, on the other hand, has shown he’s never afraid of a challenge. After a controversial split-decision defeat to Raymond Ford in 2022, he rebounded impressively, even daring to move up in weight to challenge IBF junior lightweight champion Joe Cordina. While he came up short on the cards, he pushed Cordina to the brink, showing the grit and skill that got him this title shot. Vazquez believes Espinoza has never seen someone with his resilience and ring IQ, and he’s ready to show it on the biggest stage of his career.
Learn more about Inoue-Cardenas here.
Image Credit: Top Rank