Rafael Espinoza and Robeisy Ramirez are set to reignite their rivalry on December 7 at Phoenix’s Footprint Center, with a featherweight title once again on the line. Their first meeting last December ended in a razor-thin majority decision for Espinoza, sparking debate and anticipation for a rematch.
Ahead of their showdown, both fighters reflected on their journeys and how they’re preparing for another chapter in their intense rivalry.
Espinoza, who holds an undefeated record of 25-0 (21 KOs), had the following to say:
“I know it will be a war,” Espinoza said. “And it’ll help that I can fight against any version of Ramirez. I’ll be ready whether he wants to fight at a close range or from a distance. Like I said before the first fight, I’m not leaving without the title.”
The towering 6ft 1ins Mexican fighter exuded confidence, emphasizing his growth since their first encounter. “My confidence has grown. My mentality, approach to training and commitment have all changed. I’m three times more committed than in the first fight, and I think I showed that against Chirino. I want to prove it again against Ramirez.”
Espinoza knows the stakes are high. “I’m preparing for the best version of Ramirez because I know that’s who I’ll face on fight night. And that’s exactly what I want. I want him at his best so there won’t be doubts or excuses when I win.
“I know I have to stay completely focused in this fight. I made a mistake the first time, and it cost me,” he admitted. “Losing focus is easy when you get comfortable in the ring. I can’t afford to lose focus for even a second. That will be a key difference in this fight.”
When asked about what’s next, Espinoza kept his focus squarely on Ramirez, 14-2 (9 KOs). “My top priority is to defeat Ramirez on Dec. 7. After that, we’ll see who I can unify with. For now, my sole focus is beating Ramirez.”
Ramirez, a two-time Cuban Olympic gold medalist, opened up about the personal struggles that affected his preparation for his first fight with Espinoza. “In camp, my father got really sick. He almost passed away. That affected me a lot,” he said. “My father is in Cuba, and I can’t go back. I couldn’t visit him in the hospital. So that affected me greatly.”
He believes those challenges held him back from his best performance.
“That was not the best version of me in the first fight. And despite that, I was still able to deliver a great show. So I do not doubt the second fight will be better.”
“He didn’t surprise me in the first fight,” Ramirez added. “We all know how Mexican fighters are. They never give up. But, given my personal issues, I was not in the best condition. Nevertheless, if the judges saw that he deserved the decision, that’s fine.”
Looking ahead, Ramirez’s determination is clear. “I have characterized myself as a fighter who gets up whenever he is knocked down. I have a champion mentality and will be a champion again,” he said.
“Everyone knows that I am a warrior. And I have the Cuban school of boxing. But as the Mexicans say, I also have the huevos to stand in the center of the ring and go to war.”
Ramirez knows the stakes of a win. “A victory would put me where I belong,” he said. “We have to see how this fight will unfold, but unification showdowns and fights against the best of the division are always on the table.”
Lucas Ketelle is a proud member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and author of “Inside The Ropes of Boxing” (available on Amazon). Contact him on X @LukieBoxing.
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