Rafael Espinoza (25-0, 21 KOs) confirmed that Sergio Chirino (22-2, 13 KOs) was no match for him with a dominant stoppage win on Saturday night time.
Espinoza gained by way of fourth-round technical knockout to stay the WBO featherweight champion. The time of stoppage was 2:45. Chirino was knocked down 3 times throughout the contest, having to cope with an opponent who utilized lots of strain along with having heavy palms. It was not lengthy earlier than he capitulated.
The bout headlined a High Rank card on the Fontainebleau Las Vegas carried out in affiliation with Zanfer Promotions. Struggle followers in the US might catch the motion reside on ESPN+. These in the UK had been ready to take action on Sky Sports activities whereas TSN+ had the conflict for Canadian viewers. This was Espinoza’s first defence of his WBO title since successful it in an upset towards Robeisy Ramírez in December final yr.
Rafael Espinoza Makes Dominant Defence of Title In opposition to Sergio Chirino
Struggle recap
Chirino fought off the again foot and was capable of land counters early on within the battle. Nevertheless, with lower than a minute to go in spherical one, Espinoza knocked down his opponent with a left uppercut. Chirino was capable of stand up and continued boxing alongside the ropes.
Chirino’s fashion allowed Espinoza to come back ahead and apply important strain. The reigning champion was touchdown recurrently and doing important harm to the top and physique of his opponent. In the direction of the tip of spherical three, a proper uppercut despatched Chirino down. As soon as once more, he was capable of stand up and make it to the following spherical.
Espinoza stored piling on the strain within the fourth. A proper uppercut clearly harm Chirino, who went down as soon as once more. Referee Raul Caiz Jr. started a rely, however ultimately waved off the battle to provide Espinoza a technical knockout victory.
MADE HIM QUIT.
MADE HIM WANT NO MORE.
ESPINOZA WITH A SUPERSTAR SHOWING 🌟🏆 pic.twitter.com/66H6O1JdZ9
— High Rank Boxing (@trboxing) June 22, 2024
Put up-fight interview
Rafael Espinoza
“The distinction [between me and other fighters] is my starvation, my need to be the very best,” stated Espinoza by means of an interpreter after the battle. “I show it contained in the fitness center and it’s simply mirrored proper right here contained in the ring.”
“I’m going to be sincere, I got here in with the gameplan to make use of my vary, battle from the surface, however I like to battle. I like to provide these followers a present. I don’t prefer to take a step again and that is what you get.”
“Look, to be sincere, that is my time. That is ‘Divino’s’ time and I wish to unify all of the belts. I do know that there’s a man [Robeisy Ramírez] on the market who desires the rematch. Look, I’m going to take some relaxation after which I’m going to have my individuals speak to the promoters they usually’ll do what’s greatest for me.”
Undercard outcomes
Andres Cortes (22-0, 12 KOs) gained a unanimous determination towards Abraham Nova (23-3, 16 KOs). Scores for the 10-round tremendous featherweight conflict had been 97-93 (x2) and 96-94. Controversial scores because it appeared Nova had carried out the higher work total and deserved to have had his hand raised as an alternative.
Troy Isley (13-0, 5 KOs) gained a unanimous determination towards Javier Martinez (10-1-1, 3 KOs) in a 10-round middleweight battle. Scores for the conflict had been 97-91 (x2) and 96-92. Martinez misplaced one level in spherical seven for a low blow. Isley additionally misplaced one level for a similar offence in spherical 9.
Floyd Diaz (12-0, 3 KOs) gained a unanimous determination towards Francisco Pedroza (18-11-2, 10 KOs, 1 NC). Scores for the eight-round bantamweight bout had been 78-73 throughout the board. Pedroza had one level deducted in spherical six for hitting on the break.
Demler Zamora III (13-0, 9 KOs) gained a unanimous determination towards Jose Meza (9-10, 2 KOs, 1 NC). Scores for the eight-round tremendous featherweight battle had been 80-72 (x2) and 79-73.
Steven Navarro (2-0, 1 KO) gained a unanimous determination towards Juan Meza (7-4, 2 KOs) in a six-round tremendous flyweight conflict. Scores for the bout had been 60-54 throughout the board.
Opening the published, Bryan Polaco (7-0, 5 KOs) gained by way of third-round technical knockout towards Richard Acevedo (6-1-1, 5 KOs). The time of stoppage for this six-round middleweight bout was 2:51. Polaco despatched his opponent down twice in spherical three earlier than referee Mike Ortega put an finish to proceedings.
