Robeisy vs. Espinoza II: will luck run out for the WBO champion?

Robeisy Ramirez says he will be at his best Saturday in his rematch with Rafael Espinoza and will regain his WBO featherweight title when they clash at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. This fight is about Cuba's Robeisy (14-2, 9 KOs) getting back to where he's supposed to be at the top, holding the WBO belt and taking on the other champions at 126.

Can Espinoza repeat?

Ramirez wasn’t supposed to lose to the beatable 6’1″ Espinoza in their fight last year on December 9, but he wasn’t in the best shape. Two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy was not 100% and faded over time. In the 12th round, he took a knee due to fatigue while being attacked by Espinoza.

Fatigue caused Robeisy to lose by a 12 round majority decision by score:

– 113-113
– 114-112
– 115-111

Even though Ramirez isn't at his best, he easily could have won by fifth-round knockout because he dropped Espinoza. When the Mexican fighter got back up, he collapsed into the ropes. Normally, referees stop a fight when a fighter is in this state, but this referee allowed the fight to continue. Espinoza is an accidental champion, and would not be in most cases.

The round ended before Robeisy could lunge at Espinoza to finish him off. In both cases, it was fortunate on Espinoza's part that he got out of the fifth. This was his chance, but he may not survive Saturday night's rematch because Robeisy will attack him relentlessly like he did in the fifth. There may not be a referee who saves Espinoza this time.

“Back where I belong”

“The reality is that it wasn't the best version of me, and I was still able to put on a great show, so the second fight will be better,” Robeisy Ramirez told Aerial sportsspeaking about his fight against Rafael Espinoza last year on December 9th.

“I will return to where I should be.” I couldn't see myself losing. In the last round, he didn't land a punch that put me in a bad position. I came down, if you see the replay, I came down because I was tired,” Robeisy continued.

“Now I have to get my title back, and I will be ready to unify against any of the champions that are there. There is no problem in fighting them.