Rafael Espinoza

Last updated
Rafael Espinoza
Born
Rafael Espinoza Zepeda

(1994-04-21) April 21, 1994 (age 31)
Other namesEl Divino
("The Divine")
Statistics
Weight(s) Featherweight
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Reach74 in (188 cm) [1]
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights27
Wins27
Wins by KO23

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.

Contents

Professional career

Espinoza turned professional in 2013 and has compiled a record of 26–0. 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] [9]

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. [10]

Professional boxing record

27 fights27 wins0 losses
By knockout230
By decision40
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
27Win27–0Edward VazquezTKO7 (12), 1:474 May 2025 T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBO featherweight title
26Win26–0 Robeisy Ramírez TKO6 (12), 2:427 Dec 2024 Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.Retained WBO featherweight title
25Win25–0Sergio Chirino SanchezTKO4 (12), 2:4521 Jun 2024 Fontainebleau Las Vegas, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBO featherweight title
24Win24–0 Robeisy Ramírez MD129 Dec 2023Charles F. Dodge City Center, Pembroke Pines, Florida, U.S.Won WBO featherweight title
23Win23–0Ally MwerangiKO2 (10), 1:5315 Jul 2023 Restaurante Arroyo, Mexico City, Mexico
22Win22–0Rafael Rosas RamirezTKO3 (8), 1:4425 Mar 2023El Domo del Code Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico
21Win21–0Orlando Garcia GuerreroTKO1 (10)19 Nov 2022Arena Astros, Guadalajara, Mexico
20Win20–0Gerardo Valenzuela MunozTKO1 (8), 2:4425 Jun 2022Palenque Fex, Mexicali, Mexico
19Win19–0Jose Gonzalez AyalaKO3 (10)2 Apr 2022PALCCO, Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico
18Win18–0Alie LaurelKO1 (10), 1:3719 Feb 2022Plaza Monumental, Tijuana, Mexico
17Win17–0Aramis SolisKO1 (6), 0:1225 Sep 2021Complejo Deportivo La Inalámbrica, Merida, Mexico
16Win16–0Carlos OrnelasUD1016 Jan 2021 Grand Hotel, Tijuana, Mexico
15Win15–0Luis Guzman RiosTKO2 (8)27 Jun 2020Gimnasio TV Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico
14Win14–0Diego Andrade ChavezTKO5 (8), 0:297 Jul 2018Domo del Parque San Rafael, Guadalajara, Mexico
13Win13–0Cristian Cortes GonzalezTKO6 (6)17 Feb 2018Domo del Parque San Rafael, Guadalajara, Mexico
12Win12–0Juan Jose Lopez AlcarazTKO6 (6), 1:569 Dec 2017Domo del Parque San Rafael, Guadalajara, Mexico
11Win11–0Mario CruzTKO6 (8), 2:4529 Oct 2016Arena Coliseo, Guadalajara, Mexico
10Win10–0Jesus Marcelino AlvarezKO2 (6)23 Jul 2016Gimnasio Usos Múltiples UdeG, Guadalajara, Mexico
9Win9–0Eden MarquezKO1 (6)4 Jun 2016Gimnasio Usos Múltiples UdeG, Guadalajara, Mexico
8Win8–0Juan Jose Francisco Marquez SolanoKO1 (6), 1:5612 Mar 2016Arena Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico
7Win7–0Karl GarciaUD430 May 2015 Florentine Gardens, Hollywood, California, U.S.
6Win6–0Agapito GarciaKO1 (6), 2:1220 Mar 2015Gimnacio Municipal de Box, Nogales, Mexico
5Win5–0Carlos Bacasegua LuzaniaKO3 (6), 2:247 Nov 2014Forum del Mayo, Navojoa, Mexico
4Win4–0Victor Serrano IslasTKO5 (6), 2:0511 Jul 2014 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
3Win3–0Luis MaciasTKO2 (4)1 Nov 2013Auditorio Morelos, Aguascalientes, Mexico
2Win2–0Oscar PenaUD618 May 2013Foro Polanco, Polanco, Mexico
1Win1–0Victor ValadezTKO3 (4)15 Feb 2013El Gran Mexicano, Zapopan, 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 (8 December 2024). "Video: Robeisy Ramirez quits rematch against Rafael Espinoza in sixth round". FIGHTMAG.
  9. "Rafael Espinoza vs. Robeisy Ramirez 2 results: Espinoza retains WBO title in six, Ramirez blames elbows | Sporting News United Kingdom". www.sportingnews.com. 8 December 2024.
  10. Iskenderov, Parviz (14 March 2025). "Rafael Espinoza vs Edward Vazquez set as co-feature on Inoue-Cardenas card". FIGHTMAG.
Sporting positions
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBO featherweight champion
December 9, 2023 – present
Incumbent
Awards
Previous:
Jai Opetaia W 12
Mairis Briedis I
The Ring Upset of the Year
W 12 Robeisy Ramírez

2023
Next:
Bruno Surace KO6
Jaime Munguia