Robeisy Ramirez (14-3, 9 KOs) pulled a classic no mas in the sixth round, losing by technical knockout in his rematch against WBO featherweight champion Rafael Espinoza (26-0, 22 KOs) on Saturday night at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The time of the stoppage was at 12 seconds of round six.
At the start of the sixth, Robeisy suddenly stopped fighting after taking a right hand on his right eye. The punch caused Robeisy’s eye to immediately start swelling during the post-fight press conference.
Ramirez, 30, claimed afterward that he’d been elbowed by Espinoza and had double vision in his right eye. He said he couldn’t see out of the eye and was looking out for his health when he decided to stop fighting. Robeisy wasn’t faking because his eye was swelling moments after the fight.
Robeisy had gotten the better of the 6’1″ Espinoza in the first four rounds, and he’d only taken a few shots in the fifth. It was nothing devasting looking. It was very strange. It’s disappointing that it had to end this way because it prevents Robeisy and Espinoza from proving who the better man is.
After this loss, there are going to be calls for Robeisy to retire because he’s definitely not the same fighter he was when he won two Olympic gold medals. He’s put on weight and doesn’t look like the same fighter he was.
