Robeisy Ramirez set to defend his WBO belt against Rafael Espinoza on Dec. 9

WBO featherweight king Robeisy “El Tren” Ramirez places his belt on the road in opposition to unbeaten Mexican contender Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza on a particular High Rank on ESPN card Saturday, Dec. 9 at Charles F. Dodge Metropolis Heart in Pembroke Pines, Florida.

Within the 10-round junior middleweight co-feature, Puerto Rico’s Xander Zayas squares off in opposition to Spain’s Jorge Fortea.

Ramirez-Espinoza and Zayas-Fortea shall be broadcast stay on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ starting at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT

Ramirez (13-1, 8 KOs), a two-time Olympic gold medalist, has been on a dominant trajectory after becoming a member of forces with coach Ismael Salas. The 29-year-old southpaw had an incredible 2022 wherein he stopped Irish veteran Eric Donovan, then-unbeaten Puerto Rican Abraham Nova and Argentine contender Jose Matias Romero. This yr has been even higher for the combating satisfaction of Cienfuegos, Cuba, as he soundly defeated former world champion Isaac Dogboe by unanimous determination to seize the WBO featherweight title in April and defended his crown on enemy turf with a fifth-round TKO in opposition to Japanese contender Satoshi Shimizu in July.

Ramirez stated, “Miami is for many people Cubans an essential assembly level, the place Spanish is spoken, our heritage is well known, and we keep in mind our homeland every day by town’s vibrant tradition. Ever since I turned skilled, I’ve needed to struggle close to my folks of Miami, the place I additionally stay. That cherished second has lastly arrived. On December 9, on the Charles F. Dodge Metropolis Heart in Pembroke Pines, I hope to have the assist of the Cuban group of Miami and to see our flag waving in every single place.”

Espinoza (21-0, 18 KOs) has devoted greater than a decade to his profession within the paid ranks, all main as much as his first alternative at a world title. He debuted in 2013 and has fought largely in his native Mexico, save for 2 early-career bouts within the U.S. An enormous in his division at 6’1”, Espinoza will boast a seven-inch peak benefit and is coming off a five-fight knockout streak. He tallied stoppage wins over compatriot Rafael Rosas Ramirez in March and Tanzania’s Ally Mwerangi in July.

Espinoza stated, “I’m completely happy and grateful for what is occurring. The time has come, the chance of my life, and I cannot waste it. Robeisy is a superb champion, and I’m glad to face somebody like him. I do know we may have an incredible struggle, and it’ll go down in boxing historical past. I’m certain of it.”

Zayas (17-0, 11 KOs) signed with High Rank at 16 and has been on the trail to tremendous stardom ever since his professional debut in October 2019. In 2022, he scored eight-round determination wins over Quincy LaVallais and Alexis Salazar, together with a fifth-round TKO in opposition to Elias Espadas. In 2023, he notched a 10-round unanimous determination win over Ronald Cruz throughout Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend in June and a fifth-round TKO in opposition to hard-hitting Roberto Valenzuela Jr. in September. Zayas goals to cement his candidacy for a title shot along with his third victory of the yr. Fortea (24-3-1, 9 KOs) is a 13-year professional from Spain who coming off a choice win over the beforehand unbeaten Ismael Flores in April. He’s using a three-bout profitable streak and is a former WBC Latino 154-pound belt-holder.

Zayas stated, “I’m tremendous motivated to shut the yr with yet one more struggle wherein I will proceed demonstrating the progress of my abilities and maturity as a fighter, which I’ve achieved because of the dedication and all of the exhausting work within the health club. The objective on December 9 is to proceed displaying that I’m ready for the subsequent step.”

The ESPN+ undercard will showcase a few of High Rank’s greatest and brightest up-and-coming abilities, together with:

Rising featherweight Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington (9-0, 5 KOs), the combating satisfaction of Brownsville, Brooklyn, will tackle former world title challenger Jason Sanchez (16-4, 9 KOs). Carrington will try to go 5-0 this yr in his first scheduled 10-rounder. Sanchez misplaced a unanimous determination to then-WBO featherweight world champion Oscar Valdez in June 2019.

Junior middleweight Jahi Tucker (10-1, 5 KOs) seems to bounce again from his first defeat in an eight-rounder in opposition to unbeaten Argentina’s Francisco Daniel Veron (13-0, 10 KOs). Tucker overcame a troublesome Nikoloz Sekhniashvili in April, however dropped a choice to Nicklaus Flaz in July.

Dominican Olympian Rohan Polanco (10-0, 6 KOs) will lock horns in opposition to Keith Hunter (15-1, 9 KOs) in an eight-round junior welterweight tilt. Polanco returns following his most spectacular win to this point, a fifth-round destruction of Panamanian contender Cesar Francis in July.

U.S. Olympian Tiger Johnson (10-0, 5 KOs) makes his fourth look of 2023 in an eight-round junior welterweight struggle in opposition to Mexico’s Jimmer Espinosa (15-1, 14 KOs). Johnson is coming off a hard-earned majority determination over Ricardo Quiroz in September.

Undefeated heavyweight prospect Damian “Polish Hussar” Knyba (12-0, 7 KOs), a 6-foot-7 behemoth with an 86-inch attain, takes on Scott Alexander (17-6-2, 9 KOs) in an eight-rounder.

A press launch by High Rank was used on this article.