In a pair of rematches, WBO Featherweight champion Rafael Espinoza defends in opposition to two-time Olympic Cuban gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez, and WBO 130-lb champ Emanuel Navarrete faces Oscar Valdez on December seventh in a Prime Rank-promoted present on the Footprint Middle in Phoenix, Arizona.
The diamond gem on this card is the rematch between the 6’1″ stork-like Espinoza and the Cuban expertise Robeisy. That’s the keeper. Espinoza and Robeisy went to struggle final yr on December ninth, buying and selling photographs in a battle that the judges gave to the Mexican knockout artist. Espinoza was dropped within the fifth however got here on late to win a 12-round majority choice.
The rematch between Espinoza (25-0, 21 KOs) and Robeisy (14-2, 9 KOs) is the co-feature bout on the cardboard, however it’s the one to look at for followers. There’s not a lot curiosity from followers within the pointless essential occasion battle between just lately crushed Navarrete (38-2-1, 31 KOs) and Valdez (32-2, 24 KOs).
It’s unclear why Prime Rank bothered to make the rematch between Navarrete and Valdez as a result of their battle a yr in the past was as one-sided because it may very well be. Clearly, that is extra of a business-level battle than a sporting one. Navarrete must be defending in opposition to Eduardo ‘Sugar’ Nunez or preventing a rematch in opposition to WBC champion Robson Conceicao, who clearly deserved a win in opposition to him final November of their battle that inexplicably scored a 12-round attract Las Vegas. Conceicao dominated Navarrete and deserved a win, however the Nevada judges scored it a draw. Navarrete appeared horrible in that battle, getting nailed with onerous photographs all evening by Conceicao.
Their final yr on August twelfth was a mismatch, with Navarrete making the most of his huge dimension to dominate Valdez, who appeared tiny contained in the ring subsequent to the welterweight-sized fighter.
The scores have been:
– 116-112
– 118-110
– 119-109
The extra correct rating of the three was the 119-109 one, with Navarrete dominating Valdez, making him look previous and small. That’s to not say that Navarrete was nice. He’s clearly not the fighter he as soon as was years in the past, however in opposition to Valdez, he appeared excellent.
