Rafael Espinoza-Sergio Chirino Set For WBO Title Fight, June 21 At Fontainebleau Las Vegas

Rafael Espinoza's first title defense will come at the all-Mexico tournament.

Espinoza will defend his WBO featherweight title against local Sergio Chirino on June 21. The 12-round fight will headline an ESPN+ promoted Top Rank card from Fontainebleau in Las Vegas.

The program will include ten exciting rounds of competition. Las Vegas-based Andres Cortes faces recent contender Abraham Nova in a junior lightweight bout. Troy Isley and Javier Martinez will meet in an unbeaten middleweight fight.

“From top to bottom, this is a really good card that promises action, and we are very excited to make our first show at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Espinoza could be the next Mexican champion, but he has a tough job in Chirino.

“Andres Cortes and Abraham Nova is a great grudge match, and the winner will be in a good position to challenge for the world title.”

Guadalajara's Espinoza (24-0, 20 knockouts), The Ring's No. 6-rated featherweight, lifted the WBO title from Robeisy Ramirez last December 9.

The Fight of the Year contender saw Espinoza win the title to win a two-time Olympic gold medal and a 12-fight reign.^th and the final round. It ended up being a victory for Espinoza, who at 6'1” became the world's tallest featherweight champion.

It was a huge step forward for the undefeated 30-year-old, who is on the rise. There were brief discussions about an immediate rematch but it was decided that both would enter separate bouts early.

“I'm happy to be back in the ring,” said Espinoza, who is fighting for the fourth time in the US. “I'm training hard, as usual. I know that I will face my Mexican partner who will win. I will be ready to defend my title with a lot of anger and heart. That's what I'm going to do in the ring, fight with a lot of heart and win my first title defense.”

Chirino (22-1, 13 KOs) stopped heavyweight Dennis Contreras in the third round of his last fight on February 16. In his previous fight on November 11, he defeated Sebastian Tinoco Chavez by majority decision.

The 29-year-old from Santa Lucia del Camino hopes to become the first fighter from Oaxaca to win a world title. He confidently believes that his style is worthy of defeating Espinoza.

“We Mexicans are known for having a lot of heart,” said Chirino, who has won his last 13 fights since losing only to Mauricio Lara. “And every time there are two of us in the ring, it's a fight. I'm excited for the opportunity, but at the same time, I know I've earned it. I'm getting that belt. I have a lot of experience. There will be trouble in the ring, and that trouble is Espinoza. But I will solve that problem and take home the victory.”

Nova (23-2, 16 KOs), originally from Puerto Rico and now living in Albany, New York, also fought on February 16, losing by split decision to WBC world junior lightweight O'Shaquie Foster. In his last fight on July 28, Nova stopped world title holder Jonathan Romero in the third round.

The 30-year-old suffered his only defeat at the hands of Robeisy Ramirez in June 2022.

Cortes (21-0, 12 KOs) also fought on February 16, stopping Bryan Chevalier in the fourth round. In his last fight on July 28, the 26-year-old defeated Xavier Martinez by knockout after a close seventh round.

The clash between Troy Isley (12-0, 5 KOs) of Alexandria, Virginia and Javier Martinez of Milwaukee (10-0-1, 3 KOs) has been fought four times in the novice fight, each winning two fights.

Isley, who is trained by Brian 'BoMac' McIntyre, stopped Marcos Hernandez in the fourth round of his last fight on March 2. Martinez defeated Raul Salomon by unanimous decision on February 8.

Martinez is trained by Robert Garcia.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has handled boxing in Southern California and internationally since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. They can be reached at [email protected]

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