Rafael Espinoza and Robeisy Ramirez are finally back in each other’s crosshairs.
A featherweight title fight rematch was ordered by the WBO on Wednesday. The two sides have until Sept. 19 to reach a deal for what would be a sequel to their thriller last December
“The camps are granted 15 days to negotiate and reach an agreement as ordered,” WBO Championship Committee chairman Luis Batista-Salas stated in a ruling obtained by The Ring. “Failure to reach an accord within the period outlined herein, will result in the Committee ordering purse bid proceedings.
“Any of the parties involved may request purse bid proceedings at any time during the negotiation process. The minimum bid for the WBO Flyweight Division is $150,000.”
Espinoza is represented in talks by Zanfer Boxing. Ramirez is promoted by Top Rank, Espinoza’s co-promoter.
Espinoza (25-0, 21 knockouts) ended Ramirez’ WBO featherweight title fight with a majority decision on Dec. 9 in Pembroke Pines, Florida. Both fighters were dropped but a 12th round knockdown scored by Espinoza sealed the win.
The bout was hailed by many outlets as among the best fights of 2023. With the victory, the 6’1″ Espinoza became the tallest featherweight titlist in history. The unbeaten 30-year-old is currently The Ring’s No. 6-rated featherweight. He retained his title in a fourth-round knockout of Sergio Chirino (22-2, 13 KOs) on June 21 in Las Vegas.
Ramirez (14-2, 9 KOs) held the WBO title for just eight months before he ran into Espinoza.
The two-time Olympic Gold medalist for Cuba won the title in a twelve-round decision over Isaac Dogboe last April. He made one successful defense, a fifth-round knockout of Satoshi Shimizu last July 25 in Tokyo.
Ramirez’s defeat to Espinoza snapped a 13-fight win streak after he lost his Aug. 2019 pro debut.
The Ring’s No. 9-rated featherweight returned to the win column with a June 29 seventh-round knockout of Brandon Leon Benitez in Miami Beach.
Espinoza has until Dec. 9 to make his first mandatory title defense. It was previously rumored that the fight could land on the undercard of another rematch. As reported by The Ring, WBO 130-pound titlist Emanuel Navarrete (38-2-1, 31 KOs) and former two-division beltholder Oscar Valdez (32-2, 24 KOs) are due to meet again on Dec. 7 in Phoenix. Navarrere won their first fight via unanimous decision last Aug. 12 in nearby Glendale, Arizona.
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