Ramirez defends his WBO featherweight world title against Rafael Espinoza on Saturday, December 9 at Charles F. Dodge City Center in Pembroke Pines, Florida & LIVE on ESPN
WBO featherweight champion Robeisy Ramirez will defend against #11 fringe contender Rafael Espinoza in the main event, and junior middleweight contender Xander Zayas (17-0, 11 KOs) will face Jorge Fortea (24-3-1, 9 KOs) in a ten round in the co-feature slot on December 9th at Charles F. Dodge City Center in Pembroke Pines, Florida.
Robeisy will need to deal with the 6’1″ height of the little-known unbeaten Espinoza, which should make the fight enjoyable for a while. Apart from that, this fight is a mismatch. Espinoza has fought NO one, and he’ll be cutting his teeth for the first time in the pro ranks against his first top-tier opponent.
Why it’s taken ten years for Espinoza to fight a top-level opponent is the big question, but it could be a management thing. When you have a fighter who has been spinning his wheels in the professional ranks for a decade without ever fighting on top 15-level opponents, it’s surprising. How does that happen?
It’s a courageous move on Top Rank’s part, putting this card on the same night as the Devin Haney vs. Regis Prograis event, which will take place on DAZN PPV. There’s also a possibility of Showtime putting on a PPV event on the same evening, which further split the audience.
The Robeisy vs. Espinoza event will be shown live at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+.
Top Rank needs to set Robeisy up with fights against the other champions in the 126-lb division or, better yet, match him against Emanuel Navarrete in an in-house fight.
If they’re going to turn Robeisy into a star, they’ve got to start matching him against better opposition because he’s wasting his career fighting guys like Rafael Espinzoza, Satoshi Shimizu, and Jose Matias Romero.
The southpaw Robeisy has the talent to become a big name if Top Rank starts putting him in against high-caliber opposition, but they can’t afford to wait until he’s 36 years old like we saw with Terence Crawford before that happens.
“[Robeisy] Ramirez has his hands full against an undefeated challenger [Rafael Espinoza] who will not be deterred by the moment,” said Bob Arum of Top Rank.
It’s unclear whether the 29-year-old Rafael Espinoza (21-0, 18 KOs) was the best opponent that Top Rank could dig up for the two-time Cuban Olympic gold medalist Robeisy (13-1, 8 KOs) to fight on December 9th or if this was done on purpose to have an unbeaten opponent with a glittering record?
It’s nice to have a guy with an undefeated record, but it’s useless when their resume is filled with obscure fodder-level opposition, like in the case of Espinoza. He’s glided through his entire ten-year professional career without fighting anyone recognizable.
Espinoza’s last seven opponents:
Ally Mwerangi
Rafael Rosas Ramirez
Gerardo Valenzuela Munoz
Alie Laurel
Aramis Solis
Carlos Ornelas
Luis Guzman Rios
In the co-feature, junior middleweight contender Xander Zayas will take on 32-year-old Jorge Fortea. This is another gimme for the 21-year-old Zayas, who is fighting more defensively now since getting lit up by Ronald Cruz and Alexis Salazar.
Zayas has changed his fighting style and now is focused on throwing potshots in a hit-and-run fashion. He’s fighting more like Shakur Stevenson, using the pull-back method, which is not entertaining to watch, but it’s probably the only style that will work for him.
Zayas’ punch resistance isn’t good enough to be a brawler like Miguel Cotto. As such, he’s been forced to adopt the Shakur Stevenson style. Zayas will need to wait until Tim Tszyu moves up to 160 before he fights for a world title because he would be at great risk of getting knocked out if he fought him.
Robeisy Ramirez was all, “I’m super pumped for this fight in Miami. My Cuban fans are gonna be there, and we’re gonna put on a heck of a show this Saturday.” He’s also like, “Being a champ changed everything, especially training. Gotta be ready for those 12-round fights, you know?” And, “Tall fighters? Pfft. No sweat. How I’ll fight? That’s my trainer’s secret sauce.”
Rafael Espinoza was over there saying, “This moment? It’s what boxers dream of. I’ve been itching for this since I first gloved up. It’s a big deal for me.” He’s all about using his height, not struggling to make weight, and charging forward like a true Mexican fighter. “My past 21 fights? History. This world title fight? That’s what I’m eyeing.”
Xander Zayas was like, “Thrilled that my opponent’s coming in strong. I want the best Jorge Fortea there is. Last fight, I proved I’m cut out for this. Next fight? Same deal.” And about Fortea, “Nothing special, really. He’s speedy, but hey, I’ve got speed and strength.”
Jorge Fortea chimed in, “This is boxing. Anything goes. I’m extra ready this time. They actually told me about the fight in advance! My aim? Win this and climb the ladder for more top fights.”
Richard Torrez Jr. was reminiscing, “Love being active. Feels like the amateur days with fights back-to-back. Feels slow sometimes, but hey, great chance to show off our training.” He’s ready for the rounds, but won’t shy away from a knockout. “If a punch lands, it lands.”
Lastly, Bruce Carrington was focused, “All about this fight, but consistency is key. Love the ring – my fifth fight this year. 2024? More fights, more fan fun.” He’s all about putting on a show for everyone to enjoy the holidays.
What time is the Ramirez vs. Espinoza fight?
The Ramirez vs. Espinoza fight is scheduled for Saturday, December 9. The event will commence at 9 p.m. ET (2 a.m. UK time on Sunday), with the main event featuring Ramirez and Espinoza expected to start around 11 p.m. ET (4:00 a.m. UK time on Sunday). Please note, the timings are subject to change based on the duration of the undercard bouts.
2. Where can fans watch the Ramirez vs. Espinoza fight? For fans in the United States, the fight will be broadcast live on ESPN+. In the United Kingdom, the event will be available on Sky Sports. These platforms offer a comprehensive coverage of the event, ensuring fans don’t miss any of the action.
3. Where is the fight taking place? The Ramirez vs. Espinoza fight is set to take place at the Charles F. Dodge City Center in Pembroke Pines, Florida. This venue has been chosen for its excellent facilities and capacity to host a large number of fans, ensuring an electric atmosphere for this exciting fight.
4. Can you provide information on Robeisy Ramirez’s boxing career? Robeisy Ramirez, a Cuban boxer, has an impressive record in the sport. Born on December 20, 1993, he stands at 5′ 5″ with a reach of 68″. Ramirez has participated in a total of 14 fights, securing 13 wins, 8 of which were by knockouts, and only 1 loss. His career showcases his skill and dedication to the sport.
5. What is known about Rafael Espinoza’s boxing achievements? Rafael Espinoza, hailing from Mexico and born on April 21, 1994, is a formidable figure in the ring. He stands at 6′ 1″. Espinoza has an undefeated record, with 21 wins out of 21 fights, including 18 knockouts. His unblemished record speaks to his prowess in boxing and makes him a noteworthy opponent.
6. What does the fight card include? The event features an exciting lineup, including:
- The main event: Robeisy Ramirez vs. Rafael Espinoza, 12 rounds, for Ramirez’s WBO featherweight title.
- Xander Zayas vs. Jorge Fortea, 10 rounds, junior middleweights.
- Richard Torrez Jr. vs. Curtis Harper, 8 rounds, heavyweights.
- Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington vs. Jason Sanchez, 10 rounds, featherweights.
- Jahi Tucker vs. Francisco Daniel Veron, 8 rounds, junior middleweights.
- Rohan Polanco vs. Keith Hunter, 8 rounds, junior welterweights.
- Tiger Johnson vs. Jimmer Espinosa, 8 rounds, junior welterweights.
- Damian Knyba vs. Michael Coffie, 8 rounds, heavyweights.
