Robeisy Ramirez is gearing up for his WBO featherweight title defense against the undefeated contender, Rafael Espinoza. The bout is set for December 9 on ESPN, with a potential venue in South Florida still under consideration. Originally, Ramirez was slated to headline a November 4 ESPN event in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. However, this spot will now be occupied by heavyweight Efe Ajagba, who is set to face Australia’s Joe Goodall. Ramirez’s fight will be the highlight of Top Rank’s annual post-Heisman Trophy boxing show, marking a rare occasion when the event does not occur on Madison Square Garden’s grounds. The Heisman presentation, which honors the top college football player, has aired on ESPN since 1994, and since 2017, a Top Rank boxing event has immediately followed.
2023 has been a fruitful year for Ramirez. The Cuban Olympic Gold medalist, now based in Las Vegas, secured the WBO title against former 122-pound champion Isaac Dogboe last April in Tulsa. His first defense took place in Tokyo, where he defeated Satoshi Shimizu in the fifth round. Espinoza, hailing from Guadalajara, will be facing his maiden title bout. He’s enjoyed a strong streak, with his last five matches all ending in knockouts within three rounds.
The event will also showcase unbeaten lightweight contender, Keyshawn Davis. Post his recent victory against Nahir Albright in Texas, Davis hinted at his appearance on the upcoming card. While an opponent is still in the works, there are efforts to rope in former two-division champion Jose Pedraza.
Looking ahead, a victorious Ramirez will be obligated to defend his title early in 2024. Current top contender, Arnold Khagei, is keenly watching, as is Naoya Inoue, the WBC/WBO junior featherweight champion. Inoue’s upcoming bout against Marlon Tapales in Tokyo may determine his potential challenge for Ramirez’s title in his quest to be a five-division champion.
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