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
Rafael Espinoza and Robeisy Ramirez had been capable of come to phrases in spite of everything.
A terrific featherweight rematch will transfer ahead, after the WBO confirmed each events reached an settlement. Representatives for Espinoza and Ramirez struck a deal simply in time keep away from a handbag bid listening to scheduled for Friday.
“Be suggested the events reached an settlement,” WBO head counsel Gustavo Olivieri knowledgeable The Ring and different shops. “Due to this fact, the purse bid schedule for tomorrow is terminated, efficient instantly.”
Espinoza(25-0, 21 knockouts) will try the second protection of his WBO featherweight title. The 6’1″ Mexican gained the belt in an exciting 12-round resolution over Ramirez (14-2, 9 KOs) final Dec. 9 in Pembroke Pines, Florida. Each fighters had been dropped however a twelfth spherical knockdown scored by Espinoza sealed the win.
They’ve since posted separate wins this previous June.
Espinoza, The Ring’s No. 6-rated featherweight, retained his title in a fourth-round knockout of Sergio Chirino (22-2, 13 KOs) on June 21 in Las Vegas. Simply eight days later, Ramirez—a two-time Olympic Gold medalist for Cuba who trains in Las Vegas and calls South Florida house—earned a June 29 seventh-round knockout of Brandon Leon Benitez in Miami Seaside.
As beforehand reported by The Ring, the second act is anticipated to happen on Dec. 7 at Footprint Middle in Phoenix, Arizona. Apparently, it was first rumored previous to High Rank informing the WBO that talks went sideways and {that a} purse bid was required.
All concerned events had been since capable of come to their senses. Espinoza is co-promoted by Zanfer Boxing and High Rank, the latter whom completely promotes Ramirez.
Ought to the date stick, will probably be paired with one other terrific rematch. WBO 130-pound titlist Emanuel Navarrete (38-2-1, 31 KOs) and former two-division beltholder Oscar Valdez (32-2, 24 KOs) are resulting from meet once more atop the present. Navarrete gained their first combat through unanimous resolution final Aug. 12 in close by Glendale, Arizona.
Per WBO guidelines, Espinoza has till Dec. 9 to make his first necessary title protection. The focused Dec. 7 date will fulfill that deadline.
Ramirez (14-2, 9 KOs), The Ring’s No. 9-rated featherweight, held the WBO title for simply eight months earlier than he bumped into Espinoza. He gained the title in a twelve-round resolution over Isaac Dogboe final April. One profitable protection adopted, 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.
