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 received through fourth-round technical knockout to stay the WBO featherweight champion. The time of stoppage was 2:45. Chirino was knocked down thrice through the contest, having to take care of an opponent who utilized a variety of strain along with having heavy arms. It was not lengthy earlier than he capitulated.
The bout headlined a High Rank card on the Fontainebleau Las Vegas performed in affiliation with Zanfer Promotions. Combat followers in america may catch the motion reside on ESPN+. These in the UK have 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 profitable it in an upset towards Robeisy Ramírez in December final yr.
Rafael Espinoza Makes Dominant Defence of Title Towards Sergio Chirino
Combat recap
Chirino fought off the again foot and was in a position to land counters early on within the struggle. Nevertheless, with lower than a minute to go in spherical one, Espinoza knocked down his opponent with a left uppercut. Chirino was in a position to rise up and continued boxing alongside the ropes.
Chirino’s type allowed Espinoza to return ahead and apply vital strain. The reigning champion was touchdown frequently and doing vital harm to the top and physique of his opponent. In direction of the tip of spherical three, a proper uppercut despatched Chirino down. As soon as once more, he was in a position to rise up and make it to the subsequent spherical.
Espinoza saved 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 depend, however finally waved off the struggle to offer 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 perfect,” mentioned Espinoza by an interpreter after the struggle. “I show it contained in the gymnasium and it’s simply mirrored proper right here contained in the ring.”
“I’m going to be trustworthy, I got here in with the gameplan to make use of my vary, struggle from the surface, however I like to struggle. I really like to offer these followers a present. I don’t prefer to take a step again and that is what you get.”
“Look, to be trustworthy, 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 needs 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 finest for me.”
Undercard outcomes
Andres Cortes (22-0, 12 KOs) received a unanimous resolution towards Abraham Nova (23-3, 16 KOs). Scores for the 10-round tremendous featherweight conflict have been 97-93 (x2) and 96-94. Controversial scores because it appeared Nova had performed the higher work general and deserved to have had his hand raised as an alternative.
Troy Isley (13-0, 5 KOs) received a unanimous resolution towards Javier Martinez (10-1-1, 3 KOs) in a 10-round middleweight struggle. Scores for the conflict have 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) received a unanimous resolution towards Francisco Pedroza (18-11-2, 10 KOs, 1 NC). Scores for the eight-round bantamweight bout have 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) received a unanimous resolution towards Jose Meza (9-10, 2 KOs, 1 NC). Scores for the eight-round tremendous featherweight struggle have been 80-72 (x2) and 79-73.
Steven Navarro (2-0, 1 KO) received a unanimous resolution towards Juan Meza (7-4, 2 KOs) in a six-round tremendous flyweight conflict. Scores for the bout have been 60-54 throughout the board.
Opening the published, Bryan Polaco (7-0, 5 KOs) received through 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.
