Rafael Espinoza and Robeisy Ramirez are set to run it back this Saturday, December 9th, at the Footprint Center in Phoenix. Their rematch comes a year after Espinoza stunned Ramirez to claim the WBO featherweight title in a close and dramatic fight. ESPN and ESPN+ will broadcast the event live at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT.
In their first clash, the towering 6’1” Mexican overwhelmed Ramirez late in the fight, dropping him in the 12th round and nearly securing a stoppage before the final bell. Espinoza’s heart and aggression proved too much for the two-time Olympic gold medalist, earning him a 12-round majority decision and the WBO belt.
However, Ramirez has been adamant that his performance in their first fight was far from his best. After regrouping, the Cuban got a dominant seventh-round stoppage victory over Brandon Leon Benitez in June. With renewed confidence and sharper preparation, Ramirez is determined to prove that his loss to Espinoza was nothing more than an anomaly.
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For Espinoza, this fight is another opportunity to cement his place at the top of the featherweight division. Known for his height advantage, power, and relentless pressure, Espinoza has vowed to show the same grit that carried him to victory in their first encounter. "Yes, we all know about my height advantage, but I also have another advantage, and that’s my heart. So, I’m going to show my heart by giving everything in the ring this Saturday," Espinoza said.
Ramirez, on the other hand, is focused on showcasing his superior technical skills. A disciplined boxer with an eye for precision, he believes the lessons from their first fight will guide him to victory. "I think that to mention things from the past right now is unnecessary because it sounds like excuses, and I will never give excuses in this sport. Simply put, I think that I learned how you should fight when you’re not at 100% physically and mentally," Ramirez stated.
Will Espinoza's heart carry him to a second victory, or will Ramirez's refined skills flip the script?
Prepare for tomorrow's event here.
Image Credit: Top Rank