Espinoza smokes Chirino to retain WBO featherweight title
Ramirez rematch supposed to be next; Cortes wins disputed decision over Nova; Isley outpoints amateur rival Martinez in battle of middleweight prospects
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In an overwhelmingly dominant display, Rafael Espinoza knocked Sergio Chirino down three times en route to a punishing fourth-round knockout victory to retain the WBO featherweight title in the main event of the Top Rank Boxing on ESPN+ card Friday night at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
Espinoza retained the 126-pound belt in his first defense six months after he rose from abject obscurity to score a dramatic majority decision in a huge upset of Robeisy Ramirez to win the title in Miami in December in a 2023 fight of the year contender.
“The difference is my hunger, the desire to be the best,” Espinoza said through an interpreter. “I prove it inside the gym and it’s reflected here inside the ring.”
Top Rank’s initial plan was to put on an immediate rematch, but Espinoza preferred to have an interim defense first. Chirino got the shot but was outclassed by his Mexican countryman.
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