Rafael Espinoza Defends WBO Title Against Edward Vazquez in Las Vegas Showdown

LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Rafael “Divino” Espinoza puts his WBO featherweight title on the line tonight against Edward Vazquez at T-Mobile Arena. This marks Espinoza’s third defense of the title and promises to be an exciting matchup as it co-headlines the return of Naoya Inoue to the United States.

Espinoza, maintaining an undefeated record of 26-0 with 22 knockouts, is notably the tallest featherweight in history at 6 feet 1 inch. His height, along with a reach of 74 inches, gives him a strategic advantage in the ring. He prefers brawling over boxing on the outside, and he is known for his high-volume attack, averaging nearly 70.2 punches per round.

“To win, to win, to win, that’s my plan,” Espinoza said before the fight. “I’m always focused on finding a way to win.” Despite being dropped in his first championship match against Robeisy Ramirez, Espinoza rebounded to overwhelm his opponent and claim the WBO title.

His opponent, Edward Vazquez, is stepping into the ring with a record of 17-2 and 4 KOs. Vazquez has expressed determination to reclaim a title, stating, “To win is going to take violence. Total all-out violence. That’s why I’m here.” His commitment to the fight adds an intriguing dynamic.

In addition to Espinoza’s title defense, the event also features Naoya Inoue, the undisputed junior featherweight champion, taking on San Antonio’s Ramon Cardenas. Inoue is making his first U.S. appearance since June 2021 and is a heavy favorite in his fight.

With both fighters under Top Rank, the matchup between Espinoza and Vazquez has the potential for future opportunities, particularly if Espinoza continues his unbeaten streak. He has his sights set on higher accolades and one day wishes to leave a legacy in Mexican boxing.

“It would be a dream,” Espinoza said regarding a future matchup against Inoue. “I’ll win this fight, and then we’ll see what happens.”