Rafael Espinoza has made it clear by now that he boasts the boxing skills and the range to go the distance if necessary.
However, it’s just not in his DNA to pass up the opportunity to fight.
Another example was offered in his latest outing, a one-sided battering of an extraordinarily brave Arnold Khegai to defend the 126lbs WBO title. Espinoza picked apart the first-time title challenger for 10 rounds before Khegai was counted out at 15 seconds of the 11th round Saturday evening at Arena Coliseo in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
The fight was the first as a titleholder on home soil for Guadalajara’s Espinoza, 28-0 (24 KOs), and he went out of his way to deliver a show for the occasion.
“I’m happy because I got the result that I expected,” Espinoza told BoxingScene in provided quotes after the victory. “I also wanted to put on a show for the people.
“I could’ve kept my distance all night, but I wanted to give a show as always.”
Espinoza, 31, registered the fourth defense of the WBO featherweight title he claimed in a majority decision over Robeisy Ramirez in Pembroke Pines, Florida, in December 2023. Their instant classic saw both boxers hit the deck in Espinoza’s US debut, but it was his 12th-round knockdown of Ramirez that sealed the victory and ignited his title reign.
Saturday’s win came just three weeks ahead of his two-year anniversary as the current titleholder. All four of his title defenses have ended inside the distance, including a sixth-round stoppage of Ramirez in their rematch last December 7 in Phoenix.
A common theme has come in his past three outings. Ramirez had never been stopped prior to last year’s sequel. Nor had Texas’ Edward Vazquez prior to their May 4 title tilt in Las Vegas, or Khegai, 23-3-1 (14 KOs), who fell less than six minutes shy of extending that streak in his first career title fight on Saturday.
“I know that nobody has ever stopped him before, and I’m the first to do that,” Espinoza proudly noted. “He’s a powerful fighter, but tonight I showed that I’m better.”
Espinoza previously told BoxingScene that his goal for 2026 is to fully unify the division. At 6ft 1in tall, he boasts the range to take on any challenge at the weight of his choosing.
Featherweight remains Espinoza’s home, which has plenty of lucrative options from which to choose – should his peers oblige. There is also an attractive 130lbs WBO/IBF unification bout between two of his countrymen on the horizon when Emanuel Navarrete and Eduardo “Sugar” Nuñez meet on February 28 in Glendale, Arizona.
"I still feel good at this weight,” insisted Espinoza. “But before I make any decision, I want to see what offers are on the table.”
