Commentator Tim Bradley was impressed with WBO featherweight champion Rafael Espinoza's (25-0, 21 KOs) fourth-round victory over challenger Sergio Chirino (22-2, 13 KOs) on Friday night at the BleauLive Theater in Fontainebleau Las Vegas. .
(Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Position)
After the fight, Bradley told the media that he believes the 6'1″ Espinoza may be the best fighter in the featherweight division, but he still wants to see him accomplish that feat by beating all the killers.
Tonight, Espinosa looked like pure 24k gold, dropping Chirino three times in the contest, once in the first, third, and fourth rounds. In the first round, Espinoza was the one to hit Chirino with a left hook that he didn't see going to send him to the canvas.
Although Chirino was smiling and looking embarrassed as he got back to his feet, Espinoza nailed him with a left that hurt him as the first round ended. That fight made it clear that Chirino couldn't get out of Espinoza's case and will keep getting hurt.
Espinoza's Chances as Best Featherweight
“It is possible that he is there but you still have to prove it inside that ring. There are 126 killers. He's getting hit cleanly, but he can't,” analyst Tim Bradley told the media, referring to WBO featherweight champion Rafael Espinoza's potential move to 126 following his fourth-round victory over Sergio Chirino. Friday night.
For Espinoza to prove himself as the number one featherweight champion, he will need to defeat these fighters:
– Bruce Carrington
– Rey Vargas
– Nick Ball
– Luis López
– Robey Ramirez
– Otabek Kholmatov
Carrington would be a strong opponent for Rafael Espinoza because he has more strength and size than most fighters in the featherweight division.
Bradley feels that Espinoza will need to work on his defense to beat guys like Carrington because he is very easy to beat.
Espinoza has gotten away with poor defensive skills so far because none of his opponents are big punchers, but that could change if he fights Carrington, Kholmatov, or Luis Lopez.
Espinoza's size advantage over Inoue
“He's huge,” Bradley said when asked if Espinoza is bigger than Naoya Inoue, who holds all the super bantamweight belts. “They're trying to put a boogeyman on Inoue.
Espinoza could be too big for Naoya Inoue, but he may not get the chance because the Japanese star is taking his time moving up in weight. Inoue may be worried about what will happen if he takes on fighters like Espinoza, Lopez, Vargas, Robeisy and Carrington.
“I think Shu-Shu [Carrington] well done to Rafael [Espinoza]. It's difficult because you have to worry about the maximum size and flexibility. he [Espinoza] it turned out to be an uppercut [in round one against Chirino],” Bradley said. “It's smooth. He turned his head and moved his head out of the way [of Chirino’s right-hand shot that he threw at the same time].”
Before Espinoza fights Carrington, he may have a rematch with Robeisy Ramirez and other champions at 126. There are plenty of fighters who could end Espinoza's reign long before Carrington or Inoue get to him.
“Robeisy is a world-class fighter, he is a champion, he was considered like Inoue, too [Espinoza] defeated him. I knew it wasn't a mistake. His way [Espinoza] off the canvas [in round five] and he fought with great conviction and tenacity,” said Bradley.
“I knew you were going to stop him tonight. I told him on the phone. He would be too much for Chirino. He is a great warrior. I won't say world class. He hasn't shown up yet. A great breed of amateurs. “He's got a couple of wins over Robeisy Ramirez, so he's not a no-nonsense guy, but he made it look easy tonight,” Bradley said of Espinoza.
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