Philippines, 04 May 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:

  • Badou Jack Edges Norair Mikaelian in Grueling Cruiserweight Battle on Canelo-Scull Undercard
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 04 May 2025
  • Jaime Munguía Avenges Loss, Dominates Bruno Suráce in Riyadh Rematch
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 04 May 2025
  • Weigh-In Results: Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas/Rafael Espinoza vs. Edward Vazquez World Championship Doubleheader
    , Sun, 04 May 2025
  • Rolly Romero Upsets Ryan Garcia, Throws Garcia-Haney Rematch into Chaos
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 03 May 2025
  • Haney's Cautious Approach Leads to Wide Decision Win Over Ramirez in Times Square
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 03 May 2025
  • Teo Lopez Retains Titles with Unanimous Decision Over Barboza Jr. in Times Square
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 03 May 2025
  • Canelo and Scull Hit the Scales: Undisputed Super Middleweight Showdown Set for Tomorrow in Riyadh
    , Sat, 03 May 2025
  • Press Conference Notes: Naoya Inoue-Ramon Cardenas & Rafael Espinoza-Edward Vazquez Top Monster World Championship Doubleheader Sunday in Las Vegas
    , Sat, 03 May 2025
  • Triple A Promotions Presents Live Boxing at R&J Music Pavilion in San Antonio on May 10
    , Sat, 03 May 2025
  • Quiksilver, Roxy, Billabong sponsor Sarangani Bay Kayakfes 2025
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 03 May 2025
  • IIEE kickoffs Electrical Safety Month in QC and sets chess tournament in Baguio
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 03 May 2025
  • High Profile Names Headline but Not Much Meat on the Bone in the Matchup
    By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 02 May 2025
  • Canelo Alvarez vs. William Scull: Undisputed Clash Set for Saudi Arabia This Saturday
    , Fri, 02 May 2025
  • Garcia, Haney, and Lopez Hit the Scales for Blockbuster DAZN PPV Card in Times Square
    By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 02 May 2025
  • A Monster Arrival! Naoya Inoue & Ramon Cardenas Make Vegas Splash Ahead of Sunday's Undisputed Junior Featherweight Showdown
    , Fri, 02 May 2025
  • Minnesota Timberwolves Oust Lakers; Gobert Finally Gets Back at Dončić
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 01 May 2025
  • “FATAL FURY: CITY OF THE WOLVES” FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Thu, 01 May 2025
  • BAM AND HITCHINS LAND HUGE SUMMER SHOWDOWNS LIVE ON DAZN
    , Thu, 01 May 2025
  • June 7: Kelvin Davis-Nahir Albright Junior Welterweight Rumble Added to Loaded Keyshawn Davis-Edwin De Los Santos Card at Norfolk’s Scope Arena
    , Thu, 01 May 2025
  • CHAMPIONING MENTAL HEALTH: A NIGHT OF BOXING IN LOS ANGELES ON MAY 22
    , Thu, 01 May 2025
  • Cavite beats San Juan and Pasig in PCAP
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 01 May 2025
  • BEKTEMIR “BEK” MELIKUZIEV AND THE UNDEFEATED DARIUS FULGHUM TO FIGHT IN WBA SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATOR
    , Wed, 30 Apr 2025
  • “FATAL FURY: CITY OF THE WOLVES” MEDIA WORKOUT
    , Wed, 30 Apr 2025
  • WBC presents "Xicoténcatl" belt for the Canelo-Scull fight in Riyadh
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 30 Apr 2025
  • Thailand to host WBC 63rd Annual Convention in Phuket in November
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 30 Apr 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.