When little recognized Rafael Espinoza stepped into the ring with then WBO featherweight titleholder Robeisy Ramirez final December, he referred to as it ‘the chance of a life time.”
On that individual night, the Mexican scored what would later be referred to as “The Ring Journal Upset of The Yr” with an thrilling 12-round majority resolution to annex the title.
Quick ahead six-months, and Espinoza finds himself on the alternative aspect of that equation when he meets once-beaten Sergio Chirino on the Fontainebleau, Las Vegas, on Friday.
Espinoza, rated at No. 6 by The Ring at featherweight, has gone from the hunter to the hunted.
“Sure, I’m aware of that and I do take it with a whole lot of duty,” Espinoza (24-0, 20 knockouts) advised The Ring by means of Gabe Rivas. “I nonetheless attempt to think about myself because the challenger as a result of I actually wish to maintain that belt.”
The 30-year-old is aware of that Chirino will deliver his very best however is intent on not permitting him to realize his objective.
“I believe he’s going to return to win the title, like all who come to problem for a world title,” he mentioned. “That’s a dream of all boxers however I’m going to do every part doable to win.
“I’ve seen him, I’ve seen movies of him which can be on the Web. He had an novice profession however that’s not one thing that’s going to shock me or faze me as a result of I’ve defeated a two-time Olympic gold medalist. I do know he has grit, I do know that he throws punches and is aware of boxing however I’m going to seek out the very best technique to win. I’m going to be right here and defend with grit, honor and identical to I captured it, I’ll defend it.”
The battle has additional spice as a result of it will likely be between two Mexican’s, which at all times tends to deliver out the very best of every man.
“We demand a whole lot of ourselves, we wish to be the very best,” he defined. “When it’s a Mexican versus Mexican showdown and when that occurs we’re prepared to die on the entrance line, go away every part within the ring.”
The aforementioned world title win was a watershed second having been knowledgeable for a decade.
“I give it some thought and it looks like yesterday, I would love each day to be like that,” he mentioned of the life altering second. “It was one thing that I dreamed about for a very long time and I achieved it, I’m on the opposite aspect of it and I’m going to maintain working arduous with a purpose to maintain scoring wins just like the battle we talked about and this one as properly.”
Following the triumph he visited the workplaces of the WBO and was formally belted earlier than returning dwelling to have fun along with his nearest and dearest.
“I went to Puerto Rico the place they gave me my belt,” he mentioned. “Then I went to the city the place my mother and father are from in Michoacan. I went to have fun the place they made music, I had meals and so they had a particular mass together with the saint, the divine religion. I nonetheless see these movies, I watch them and I cry.”
Whereas there are various choices within the expertise wealthy featherweight division together with a second go-around with Ramirez, he received’t let his consideration be diverted from the duty in hand.
“My focus is on this battle,” he mentioned. “My primary objective is Sergio Chirino after which we are able to speak about a rematch after this.”
Chirino (22-1, 13 KOs) was a great novice, who fought across the globe, notably within the World Sequence of Boxing earlier than turning skilled in 2016. After 9 wins he retired on the finish of the second spherical on account of a reduce towards big-punching future WBA featherweight titlist Mauricio Lara.
Since then, the 29-year-old has reeled off 13 consecutive wins all in Mexico, although this will likely be a marked step up in opposition.
Espinoza-Chirino, plus undercard bouts, will likely be broadcast on ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT.
Questions and/or feedback may be despatched to Anson at [email protected].
