This article is also available in French.
Rafael Espinoza Vs Sergio Chirino Sanchez Preview
Rafael Espinoza defends his WBO Featherweight title for the first time in a clash with Sergio Chirino Sanchez on June 21 at the BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau in Las Vegas. The main card will start at 7:00 pm and it looks like one not to miss.
Espinoza will put his undefeated record on the line, including his title. Chirino has just one loss on his record and will face the biggest challenge of his career. The fight will mark just the 20th all-Mexican title fight in featherweight history.
Rafael Espinoza vs Sergio Chirino Sanchez Head-To-Head and Key Stats
Espinoza enters this fight following one of the biggest boxing upsets of the year in 2023. The Mexican stepped into the ring with Robeisy Ramírez in December. Both fighters delivered a fight-of-the-year contender, and Espinoza won the fight by majority decision.
Ramírez was the overwhelming favourite in the boxing betting odds heading into the bout. The two-time Olympic gold medallist had just beaten fellow Olympian Satoshi Shimizu by TKO to complete his first defence of the WBO Featherweight title. Espinoza was an unknown 10-year pro, yet to fight anyone noteworthy in his career. Our online betting platform had him as a huge 7/1 underdog.
El Divino had not fought beyond the third round for three years prior to this fight. It looked like that could catch up to him when he hit the deck in the fifth round. He was hanging on by a thread before being saved by the bell. However, Espinoza proved his metal, finding a second wind and fighting back in the second round to turn the tide.
Espinoza had already shocked many by taking it into the 12th round. The judges had the scorecards down as a split draw and the Mexican dug deep in an astonishing final round. He knocked Ramírez down with a barrage of punches to take the round and the fight. El Divino threw nearly 1,000 punches in the fight and the judges scored the bout 113-113, 114-113, 115-111 in the Mexican’s favour. He completed the upset and took home the WBO World featherweight title.
Sergio Chirino Sanchez will announce himself on the world stage on Friday for the first time in his career. It will be the first time he has fought outside of Mexico, having risen in the WBO rankings in his home country. Chirino last fought in February against Dennis Contreras. The Oaxaca native made light work of his opponent, winning via TKO in the third round.
His only loss came in 2018 when he retired after the second round to Mauricio Lara. The heavy-hitting featherweight has 13 knockouts in 22 victories, though this will be the toughest fight of his career. Much like Espinoza’s title-winning fight, Chirino enters as a relative unknown despite being ranked number 2 in the WBO featherweight division.
Standing at 6’1”, Espinoza is a rangy 126lber with a 74” reach. This allows him to fight behind a strong jab with measured punches and a fast pace. He has a 24-0 record with 20 knockouts, finishing eight of his last 10 bouts inside three rounds. The 5’9” Chirino will have his work cut out against this bigger opponent.
Rafael Espinoza Vs Sergio Chirino Sanchez Prediction
Fight prediction: Rafael Espinoza by KO/TKO
Both fighters come in with virtually identical experience in the ring, with Espinoza having just one more fight than his opponent. However, his victory over Ramírez dwarfs the accomplishments of Chirino. He also has the power advantage, finishing 83% of his opponents compared to Chirino’s 59%. El Divino will prove too difficult a test for Chirino. Our boxing prediction is for an Espinoza victory via KO/TKO.
Espinoza is the tallest champion in featherweight history. His range and pace present a challenge that Chirino has never dealt with before. He is used to being the taller fighter, his 5’9 stature usually playing into his hands. Fighting in an entirely new setting in Las Vegas and against an unfamiliar fighter profile will be too many variables for him to deal with.
El Divino has experience against stronger fighters than Chirino in his pro career. That victory over Ramírez is his crowning achievement. Chirino has never fought a man with his credentials. He is the more prepared competitor entering this bout against the number two ranked fighter and that experience will prove all important.
Espinoza will come out of the blocks with pace and power. He will use his range and stature to intimidate Chirino and push him back. The challenger will be in uncharted waters, struggling to deal with the champion’s aggression. Espinoza will defend his title for the first time with no issues.
Rafael Espinoza Vs Sergio Chirino Sanchez Betting Picks
The champion is the overwhelming favourite in this fight, with a bet on Espinoza worth 2/15. We are more interested in how he will defend his title. His 83% knockout record proves his power. We like a bet on Espinoza to win via KO/TKO, worth 8/11 online.
Espinoza starts his fights on the front foot, pushing the pace and finding openings for power shots behind his jab. He will waste no time against Chirino. El Divino got his opponent out of the ring in all his last eight KO/TKO victories. We are backing him in the group round betting to win in rounds 1-6, worth 4/1.
Boxing betting markets will also offer attractive odds for round betting. 50% of Espinoza’s previous eight KO/TKO victories came in the first round and the champ could match this on Friday. This is a huge longshot at 60/1 but his record shows he is more than capable, it is worth a punt on the champ.
There are plenty of opportunities to wager on this exciting fight. Not only can you go for an outright prediction, but you can look at the over/under market. Betting on there being under 9.5 rounds in this contest is a risk worth taking. New customers can sign up using our welcome bonus to bet with reduced risk. We will match your first deposit 100% up to $500.
Fight Outcome
Espinoza’s first WBO featherweight title defence will be far less of a challenge than his original title fight. Despite entering as a huge underdog, Espinoza looked like he belonged in that ring. Espinoza did not come through that fight unscathed, but there was no argument he won the bout.
He will be in Chirino’s face from the first bell. The number two-ranked featherweight is talented, but this fight has probably come too soon in his career. He has not fought anyone close to Espinoza in stature and that will be the difference maker. The Oaxacan could have done with a tune-up fight before facing the champ, and he will be unprepared for El Divino.
Rafael Espinoza Vs Sergio Chirino Sanchez Full Fight Card
The two Mexican featherweights will headline the card in Las Vegas, but there are several exciting fights on the night. There are undefeated records on the line in every fight with some thrilling young talent showcased across the card.
Two junior lightweights will co-feature when Andres “Savage” Cortes faces Abraham “El Super” Nova. Savage’s fledgling career continued in February when he knocked out Bryan Chevalier at Madison Square Garden. He will put his undefeated record on the line at the BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau. This has the potential to be a show-stealer.
Troy Isley and Javier Martinez will reignite a rivalry first seen on the amateur circuit in a 10-rounder. This technical bout is a special-attraction fight. The middleweights are both undefeated and someone’s 0 has got to go.
Exciting 21-year-old bantamweight Floyd Diaz will put his undefeated record on the line against journeyman Francisco Pedroza Portillo. The youngster looks to add to his 11-0 record and work his way into the top 10 rankings at 118lbs.
Another 21-year-old will appear in a keep-busy bout when Demler Zamora faces Jose Antonio Meza. The unbeaten starlet has impressed in his young career, boasting a 12-0 victory with nine KO/TKO wins. He has appeared on the undercard for big bouts, most recently at the MGM Grand for the Caleb Plant vs David Benavidez headliner. Top Rank and Bob Arum have a lot of faith in the Las Vegas native.
