December 9 will mark two full years for Rafael Espinoza as the reigning WBO featherweight titlist.
His run has included knockout finishes in each of his four defenses. Guadalajara’s Espinoza, 28-0 (24 KOs), also achieved a goal by headlining a major title fight in his home country, following Saturday’s eleventh round stoppage of Arnold Khegai, 23-3-1 (14 KOs), in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
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As he enters year three as an unbeaten major titleholder, Espinoza is determined to fulfill another long-term goal.
“We need an undisputed champion at featherweight,” Espinoza told BoxingScene. “I don’t know why we haven’t landed any of the other champions at featherweight. That will be a priority in 2026.
“I am going to push my team to get those guys in the ring. I don’t care about the order, as long as they happen.”
It will take some work for the 6ft, 1in Espinoza to hunt down his divisional peers, as all are straddled with present day business.
Top Rank claims co-promotional ties to both Espinoza – along with Zanfer Boxing - and IBF titleholder Angelo Leo. However, an in-house matchup isn’t quite that simple to piece together, at least not next. Leo - who is co-promoted by ProBox - is set to defend against South Africa’s Lerato Dlamini on February 1 at home in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
(Note: ProBox and BoxingScene are both owned by Garry Jonas)
WBA titlist Nick Ball was ordered to next face mandatory challenger and former two-division titlist Brandon Figueroa. Their November 13 deadline expired without a deal in place, or talks even progressing far, and is now likely headed to a purse bid. Whether the fight happens is another matter, though neither boxer has exactly screamed for a showdown with Espinoza.
Stephen Fulton holds the WBC title but is next due to challenge for O’Shaquie Foster’s WBC 130lbs title on December 6 at Frost Bank Arena in San Antonio, Texas. Even if he returns to 126lbs after the fight, Fulton will be required to next face interim titleholder Bruce Carrington – ironically the one fighter at featherweight who has called out Espinoza.
Carrington is promoted by Top Rank, which could potentially facilitate a unification bout if the unbeaten Brooklyn native is upgraded to full titleholder.
The division was largely stagnant for much of 2025, as most of the top players expected current undisputed 122lbs champion Naoya Inoue to move up in weight.
The unbeaten four-division champ from Yokohama, Japan put to rest those rumors, however, in confirming that he is still comfortable at junior featherweight. Furthermore, Inoue is now on a collision course with countryman and three-division titlist Junto Nakatani, which is targeted for next spring should both prevail in separate bouts on December 27 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
With that crutch removed for the other players at featherweight, Espinoza hopes his standing can represent the top prize at the weight.
“Nobody is waiting for Inoue anymore, he’s not moving up so that excuse is out,” noted Espinoza. “They very clearly don’t want to fight each other, so I’ll go chase them all. If they run too far, then I’ll make sure I’m the best possible option for the Inoue-Nakatani winner, should that person move up. But becoming undisputed champion is my main goal.”
Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as a senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home. Follow Jake on X and Instagram.
Zanfer Boxing
