Philippines, 27 Nov 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Rafael Espinoza: “I’m Going To Steal The Show On May 4!”

PhilBoxing.com




Espinoza defends his WBO featherweight world title against Edward Vazquez on Sunday, May 4, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas

GUADALAJARA, Mexico (April 25, 2025) — Mexico's featherweight king, Rafael Espinoza, plans to steal the spotlight on Cinco de Mayo Weekend.

The 31-year-old Espinoza defends his WBO crown against Edward Vazquez on Sunday, May 4, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Espinoza-Vazquez will serve as the co-feature to the undisputed junior featherweight showdown between Japanese pound-for-pound icon Naoya Inoue and San Antonio-born contender Ramon Cardenas.

Espinoza (26-0, 22 KOs) built his career in Mexico before shocking two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez for the WBO title in December 2023. Dropped in the fifth, he stormed back to score a 12th-round knockdown and claim a majority decision in ESPN’s Upset of the Year. He defended the title last June with a fourth-round TKO versus Sergio Chirino before ending the Ramirez rivalry by stopping him in six in their December rematch. Vazquez (17-2, 4 KOs), from Fort Worth, Texas, enters his second world title opportunity after knocking out Kenneth Taylor in four rounds last October.

Inoue-Cardenas and Espinoza-Vazquez will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

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

This is what Espinoza said following a recent training session in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico:

“Edward Vazquez is a great fighter. He’s going to come with everything. We chose him because we know it would make for an exciting fight. This is an important fight for me. At the same time, I don’t like to predict knockouts or tell people how the fight will end. I’m simply going to do my job. If the knockout comes, then great. Either way, I'm scoring a win for my people."

“I’m treating Vazquez as if he were an unbeaten champion. That’s how I’m taking things in my preparation, and that will ensure I don’t come in overconfident. Also, I know that it’s a huge opportunity for him, so he will come in the best shape possible.”

“It’s a great responsibility to fight on such an important weekend for Mexicans, so I see it as a source of motivation. I want to continue representing Mexico on these important fight dates.”

“The only thing on my mind is Edward Vazquez and defeating him on May 4. But at the same time, I’d like to show the Japanese people that I’m also ready for Naoya Inoue. That kind of fight would help me become one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.”

“I’m going to steal the show on May 4 and give all the Mexicans in attendance a great night.”




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Carlos Cañizales Forced to Cancel Flight to Thailand for WBC World Title Defense
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 27 Nov 2025
  • World Boxing Champions Promotions to Present Manny Pacquiao & Freddie Roach with Inaugural “Centurion Awards” During Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event on November 29
    , Thu, 27 Nov 2025
  • Atif Oberlton Takes on Vaughn Alexander on Saturday, December 6th at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
    , Thu, 27 Nov 2025
  • Iligan tops in PEKAF Mindanao qualifying tourney
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 27 Nov 2025
  • INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2026 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4th
    , Thu, 27 Nov 2025
  • World Renowned Boxing Trainer Bob Santos Launches Private Boxing Camp in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 27 Nov 2025
  • Eight Boxers Remain in WBC Grand Prix Finals On December 20
    , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • WBA/WBO Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez Confirms World Title Fight with David Benavidez on Cinco de Mayo in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • Petecio in, Paalam out
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • Takuma Inoue World Champion Again; Beats Nasukawa for Vacant WBC Belt
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • OLYMPIC BOXING 3: 1920 OLYMPIC GAMES AT ANTWERP, BELGIUM
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • Badenas TKO’s Saknosiwi in 10th round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • Las Vegas & California Amateurs Shine in a Powerful Fall Rumble Weekend Followed by a Heartfelt Turkey Drive for Local Families
    , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • Santa Run Davao on December 14 at NCCC Mall Victoria Plaza
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • Alec “The Rock” Del Rio Fights for WBC Asia Title Friday in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • Eumir, Weljohn put pros on hold
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • Toronto Topples Cleveland, 110-99 for 8th Straight Win; Holds on to 2nd in the East
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • PPP Seniors & PWD Fun Run 2025 on Dec. 13 in Talomo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES A FULL SELLOUT AND BROADCAST DETAILS AHEAD OF U.S. DEBUT EVENT THIS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, AT PECHANGA RESORT CASINO IN TEMECULA, CALIF.
    , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • Tomorrow Night's CB Promotions Card at The Cure Insurance Arena in Trenton is Postponed
    , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • PHL bids to host WB Congress
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • Joel "Lethal" Lewis talks boxing evolution and upcoming Thunderdome 52 fight this Friday in Perth
    , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • Granite Chin Promotions signs Milton pro boxer Jenn Perella
    , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • Mabuhay at Salamat: ‘The Thirty’ Filipino Boxers Who Became Giants
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 24 Nov 2025
  • World-ranked Lightweight Dynamo Justin Pauldo Collides with Hard-punching Nike Theran
    , Mon, 24 Nov 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.