Rafael Espinoza (proper) lands a proper hand on Robeisy Ramirez throughout their Dec. 9 thriller in Pembroke Pines, Florida. Picture credit score: Mikey Williams, High Rank
A rematch as soon as believed to have been finalized is now out there to the very best bidder.
The Ring has confirmed that the second act of the Rafael Espinoza-Robeisy Ramirez WBO featherweight title battle collection is now headed to a handbag bid listening to. WBO officers have scheduled the session for Oct. 11 after an inquiry with High Rank, who’s concerned with each boxers.
“On September 4, 2024, this Committee ordered the graduation of negotiations for the subject material bout,” famous WBO Championship Committee chairman Luis Batista-Salas. “The events had been granted 15 days to barter and attain an settlement accordingly. However the foregoing, the negotiation interval referenced herein has elapsed with out the events in a position to attain an accord.
“Conversely, on October 3, 2024, the WBO acquired e mail communication from [Top Rank VP] Mr. Carl Moretti, advising that the events had been unable to achieve phrases and consequently, petitioned for purse bid proceedings to be known as in accordance with our governing guidelines and rules.”
The minimal accepted bid is $150,000. Espinoza (25-0, 21 knockouts) is entitled to 75-percent of the successful bid because the defending titlist. The 25-percent steadiness is afforded Ramirez (14-2, 9 KOs) because the obligatory challenger.
Espinoza is represented in talks by Zanfer Boxing. Ramirez is promoted by High Rank, Espinoza’s co-promoter.
Per WBO guidelines, Espinoza has till Dec. 9 to make his first obligatory title protection. It was beforehand rumored that the battle may land on the undercard of one other rematch. As reported by The Ring, WBO 130-pound titlist Emanuel Navarrete (38-2-1, 31 KOs) and former two-division beltholder Oscar Valdez (32-2, 24 KOs) are attributable to meet once more on Dec. 7 in Phoenix. Navarrere received their first battle through unanimous determination final Aug. 12 in close by Glendale, Arizona.
High Rank will both need to win the bid or get each side to conform to phrases for these rumored plans to change into actuality.
Espinoza ended Ramirez’ WBO featherweight title battle with a majority determination on Dec. 9 in Pembroke Pines, Florida. Each fighters had been dropped however a twelfth spherical knockdown scored by Espinoza sealed the win.
The bout was hailed by many shops as among the many finest fights of 2023. With the victory, the 6’1″ Espinoza grew to become the tallest featherweight titlist in historical past. The unbeaten 30-year-old is at present The Ring’s No. 6-rated featherweight. He retained his title in a fourth-round knockout of Sergio Chirino (22-2, 13 KOs) on June 21 in Las Vegas.
Ramirez (14-2, 9 KOs) held the WBO title for simply eight months earlier than he bumped into Espinoza.
The 2-time Olympic Gold medalist for Cuba received the title in a twelve-round determination over Isaac Dogboe final April. He made one profitable protection, a fifth-round knockout of Satoshi Shimizu final July 25 in Tokyo.
Ramirez’s defeat to Espinoza snapped a 13-fight win streak after he misplaced his Aug. 2019 professional debut.
The Ring’s No. 9-rated featherweight returned to the win column with a June 29 seventh-round knockout of Brandon Leon Benitez in Miami Seashore.