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Philippines, 14 Nov 2025 |
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Press Conference Notes: Featherweight King Rafael Espinoza Readies for Mexican Homecoming PhilBoxing.com Fri, 14 Nov 2025  Espinoza-Khegai and select undercard fights will stream on the Top Rank Classics FAST Channel this Saturday beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT San Luis Potosí, Mexico (Nov. 13, 2025) — Mexican featherweight king Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza is ready to defend his home turf. The towering 6-foot-1 Guadalajara native — and tallest featherweight champion in boxing history — will risk his WBO title against Ukrainian contender Arnold Khegai this Saturday, Nov. 15, at Arena Potosi in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Espinoza (27-0, 23 KOs) captured the championship in December 2023 with a majority decision over two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez. Since then, he has made three successful defenses, including a sixth-round TKO over Ramirez in their December 2024 rematch. Khegai (23-2-1, 14 KOs), a two-time Muay Thai world champion and former Ukrainian national amateur champion, has won seven of eight since moving to featherweight. He bested former world champion Liborio Solis via eight-round decision in September. The co-feature will showcase unbeaten Mexican Olympian Lindolfo Delgado (23-0, 16 KOs) against countryman Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela (31-4-1, 17 KOs) in an IBF junior welterweight world title eliminator. Heavyweight Mexican-American phenom Richard Torrez Jr. (13-0, 11 KOs) meets Czech veteran Tomas Salek (23-7, 14 KOs) in a 10-rounder, while rising junior welterweight star Emiliano Vargas (15-0, 13 KOs) takes on Jonathan Montrel (19-3, 13 KOs) in a 10-round special feature that will take place just before the main event. Promoted by Top Rank and Zanfer Boxing, Espinoza-Khegai, Delgado-Valenzuela, Torrez-Salek, and Vargas-Montrel will stream live on the Top Rank Classics FAST channel in the U.S. beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Top Rank Classics will replay the card on Sunday at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. To watch on mobile or desktop, visit trboxing.co/TopRankClassics. To watch on your smart TV, check the availability of FAST channel apps and look for Top Rank Classics on The Roku Channel, Tubi, or Vizio. This is what the fighters had to say at Thursday's press conference. Rafael Espinoza "I’m pleased to be fighting again in Mexico and coming back here as a world champion." "I know what it’s like to fight for a world title. When you fight for a world title, you come with everything and more. So, I know he’s going to come with everything. I expect that from him, and I trained for that." "For the fans out there, I want you to know that you cannot miss this fight. I'm going to continue working hard and striving to get better with each fight." "I’m able to continue making this weight because I’m used to the process. And I respect it as well. I know the responsibilities that come with being a world champion." Arnold Khegai "I’m very happy because this is the biggest fight of my career so far. I’ve been waiting forever for this kind of fight, and Saturday will be a defining moment in my career." "The fact that I’m in Mexico doesn’t matter to me. It doesn’t matter that I’m in enemy territory. There will only be two fighters in the ring." My head trainer, Abel Khachatryan, could not be here due to visa issues. However, Marvin Somodio will be assisting, as well as Charlie Edwards, who has been helping me in camp." "Everything went well in camp. We made sure to cover all bases. Charlie was there to help with speed, but we also have others who can help with height and other aspects. We made sure to cover everything." Lindolfo Delgado "I feel happy to be fighting in Mexico again. It’s been a long time since I fought here, so it feels good to be back. People have been asking me for a long time when I am going to fight in Mexico. Not many people can go to the United States to see me. Now that it’s happening, I’m very excited. And San Luis Potosí is very close to Linares, Nuevo Leon, which is where I’m from." "Valenzuela is a fighter with a lot of experience, and he’s been in a lot of good fights." "I’ve been waiting for a world title shot for a long time, and we’re just one step away. So, I hope it happens next." Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela "I know it’s going to be a great fight. Every time there are two Mexicans, it’s guaranteed to be a war." "I’ve been on big stages and have had a lot of great experiences, so I’m ready for whatever this fight brings." Richard Torrez Jr. "I'm a proud Mexican-American, and I'm going to show that 'Mexican Style' translates to the heavyweight division. This is my first time fighting in Mexico. I've been here once or twice before, but I'm excited to come here and show everyone what I'm about." "The win over Guido Vianello gave me a newfound confidence. I'm currently ranked No. 4 by the IBF. That gives me the confidence and the drive to move forward and prove to everyone back home watching that their cheers aren't in vain." "My opponent is a veteran. He's been here before. I'm excited to show what I have to offer. I've trained really hard. I haven't fought since April. It's been my biggest layoff as a pro, and I'm pumped to get back into the ring. I'm eager, and come Saturday night, you're going to see a lot of punches thrown." Emiliano Vargas "I had the opportunity to come down here and have my training camp in Mexico City. The elevation brought a whole new element to my training. My opponent is going to drown in this elevation. We checked off every box and got out of our comfort zone by getting down here early. It's going to show on Saturday night." "I feel a lot of love in Mexico. Even while walking the streets of Mexico City, people were stopping us and taking photos. It's humbling. I am happy to represent my roots." "We'll see what presents itself on Saturday during the fight and go from there." Saturday, November 15 Top Rank Classics (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT) Rafael Espinoza vs. Arnold Khegai, 12 Rounds, Espinoza's WBO Featherweight World Title Emiliano Vargas vs. Jonathan Montrel, 10 Rounds, Junior Welterweight Lindolfo Delgado vs. Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela, 12 Rounds, IBF Junior Welterweight World Title Eliminator Richard Torrez Jr. vs. Tomas Salek, 10 Rounds, Heavyweight PLEASE NOTE: Highlights from the Julian Montalvo-Nicolas Patron junior lightweight bout will be shown during the broadcast. Montalvo (4-0, 3 KOs) is 17 years old and one of the youngest fighters ever to sign a promotional contract with Top Rank.  |
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