Philippines, 25 Aug 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Rafael Espinoza and Emiliano Fernando Vargas Host Mexico City Press Conference

PhilBoxing.com





Espinoza defends WBO featherweight world title against Edward Vazquez on Sunday, May 4 at T-Mobile Arena LIVE on ESPN

MEXICO CITY (April 9, 2025) — WBO featherweight world champion Rafael Espinoza and Mexican-American junior welterweight phenom Emiliano Fernando Vargas joined forces for a special press conference Tuesday afternoon in Mexico City.

Espinoza (26-0, 22 KOs) will defend his crown against former world title challenger Edward Vazquez as the co-feature to the Naoya Inoue-Ramon Cardenas undisputed junior featherweight world title showdown on Sunday, May 4, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Vargas (13-0, 11 KOs), the son of former world champion Fernando Vargas, will see action on the bill in an eight-rounder against an opponent to be named.

A capable singer, Espinoza regaled the crowd with his rendition of "El Rey" while backed by a mariachi band. He then visited the famed Romanza Gym, where Hall of Fame trainer Nacho Beristáin has nurtured world champions such as Juan Manuel Marquez and Jhonny Gonzalez for over three decades. Espinoza aims to make the third defense of his title on Cince De Mayo weekend, five months removed from a sixth-round TKO over Robeisy Ramirez in their rematch.

Vargas made his 2025 debut on March 29 with a blistering second-round stoppage over Giovannie Gonzalez. Fully recovered from a hand injury that sidelined him for several months, Vargas makes a rapid return on a Las Vegas super card.

This is what Espinoza and Vargas had to say at Tuesday's press conference.

Rafael Espinoza

"We know that Vazquez is an opponent who is very prepared. We know that it's going to make for a great fight. He's a warrior who's not going to give up because he wants everything that I have. So, you are going to see the best version of 'El Divino.'"

"The Vazquez fight is my priority, but I want the {Inoue} fight because it's going to make me a pound-for-pound fighter, and that's my goal. It's a very strong goal."

"I haven't shown what I'm capable of. I'm a world champion, but I want to show that I'm the best."

Emiliano Fernando Vargas

"This is something really special to me, being here in Mexico City, which is where my blood is from. I'm proud to be Mexican and American and happy to be here."

"I want to keep winning. I want to keep growing. The only thing I'm focused on is my May 4 bout, and we have about four fights planned for this year. But I gotta get through May 4 first and keep winning. I'm going to shine like the star that God made me. He made me in his image and a little in the image of my dad. I'm happy to be back May 4."

Inoue-Cardenas and Espinoza-Vazquez will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Vargas' bout and the rest of the undercard will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Ohashi Promotion, Teiken Promotions, and Sampson Boxing, tickets are on sale now via AXS.com.




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Good Luck, Lucky Boy Reymark Alicaba!
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 25 Aug 2025
  • Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Released
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 25 Aug 2025
  • Mapua EE wins Bowling B Championship, IM Datu leads Mapua Chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 25 Aug 2025
  • ALOYSIUS YAPP CLAIMS LONG-AWAITED US OPEN CROWN
    , Sun, 24 Aug 2025
  • Don King Productions Moving Forward With October 4th WBA World Heavyweight Showdown
    , Sun, 24 Aug 2025
  • Controversial Judges from Pacquiao-Barrios Fight Tapped for Canelo-Crawford Showdown
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 23 Aug 2025
  • Levinson’s Gift: Runyon’s quiet revelation, Lawton’s last battle, and the first Filipino boxer
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sat, 23 Aug 2025
  • Rodrigo to challenge undefeated Sandoval in US
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 23 Aug 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Call to Action 12 Items for Boxers' Safety
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Fri, 22 Aug 2025
  • Libranza vs Pangga headlines Elorde card on Aug 24
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 22 Aug 2025
  • GM Antonio to compete in P100,000 top prize Rapid chessfest this Sunday in Roxas City, Capiz Province
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 22 Aug 2025
  • AISAT Basic Ed football training starts
    By Kim delos Reyes-Teves, , Fri, 22 Aug 2025
  • Josh Navarro Scores Another Win in Pomona, California
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 22 Aug 2025
  • UNDEFEATED CRIZTIAN PITT LAURENTE SET TO FACE HEBI MARAPU FOR IBF PAN PACIFIC TITLE
    , Fri, 22 Aug 2025
  • Dare To Enter: Undefeated WBC Interim Champion Vergil Ortiz to Defend Super Welterweight Title From Number 1 Contender Erickson “The Hammer” Lubin
    , Fri, 22 Aug 2025
  • Euri Cedeno Takes on Willie Jones on Friday, September 5th at Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem, PA
    , Fri, 22 Aug 2025
  • COE AND HART CLASH ON BOOTS ENNIS CARD IN PHILADELPHIA
    , Thu, 21 Aug 2025
  • ‘There's nothing that he brings to the table that I've not got an answer for’ Sam Rennie on upcoming fight at Thunderdome 51
    , Thu, 21 Aug 2025
  • JAMAINE "THE TECHNICIAN" ORTIZ TRAINING CAMP NOTES
    , Thu, 21 Aug 2025
  • Gervonta Davis vs. Jake Paul: Exhibition Bout Announced for November
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 21 Aug 2025
  • Legendary boxing coach John Brown Compares cornering Tommy Morrison & Rising young star Marco Romero
    , Thu, 21 Aug 2025
  • World Kid to Host Meet-and-Greet and Open Workouts In advance of “The Return” on August 31 in Detroit
    , Thu, 21 Aug 2025
  • Assassin’s Creed: Brian Norman Jr. Signs Multi-Year Contract Extension with Top Rank
    , Thu, 21 Aug 2025
  • Five Philippine FIDE Masters are scheduled to arrive in Roxas City
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 21 Aug 2025
  • Boxing Promotional Powerhouse Top Rank Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday, September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 21 Aug 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.