Ramirez vs. Espinoza: That’s How Winning Is Done

By Matthew Benoliel

Boynton Beach, FL 12.10.23. Featherweight Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza fought his last fight in a Mexico City Restaurant better known for live mariachi music and, according to Trip Advisor, average cuisine. His opponent, Ally Mwerangi, came in with a 12-6 record. In only two rounds, Mwerangi became El Divino’s twentieth career knockout, and twenty-third professional win. So while none of his previous opponents were marquee fighters, his impressive winning streak earned Espinoza a shot at the WBO Featherweight title.  He was a 15:1 underdog, facing a fierce champion in Robeisy “El Tren” Ramirez, on Ramirez’ home turf. Ramirez came into the fight with a professional record of 12-2 with 8 KOs. He is a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, one earned through an extremely close battle with the USA’s Shakur Stevenson in Rio De Janeiro in 2016. Like many Cuban athletes, his journey to America is a story in itself, one of courage, hope, and danger, the subject of a 2019 Sports Illustrated article that is well worth seeking out. 

With the odds and the Miami crowd overwhelmingly and emphatically behind him, Ramirez seemed well on his way to another title defense and one step closer to unifying. But from the opening bell, Espinoza was on the attack. In the words of Rocky Balboa, he showed “how winning is done.” Moving forward, throwing punches, taking punishment, and moving forward some more. Through sheer grit and determination, Espinoza took the first four rounds as the live odds shifted to -115 at the beginning of round five. 

By round five, Ramirez had figured out Espinoza’s timing and began landing some big shots of his own, including a huge right hook perfectly timed as Espinoza was switching stances in the corner of the ring. The heavy shot rocked Espinoza and could have turned much worse had he not been saved by the bell. Ramirez came out for round six with bad intentions, landing several more hard shots to the head of Espinoza. Espinoza shook it off, Ramirez let his foot of the gas a bit but the intensity shifted into high gear.  Ramirez continued to land heavy shots that wobbled the legs of Espinoza, but Espinoza was relentless. He kept coming forward. And he kept winning. 

In the twelfth and final round, Espinoza threw 121 punches, including 45 power punches and one knockdown. His total punch output was 995, an unbelievable feat considering the pressure he was under and the damage he was taking at the hands of El Tren. A flurry at the end of the round had Ramirez in real trouble. 

Judges scored the fight 113-113, 114-112, and 115-111 for the winner, and new WBO Featherweight World Champion Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza. 

Could this be Fight of The Year? It’s certainly in contention. Promoters often talk about “history being made,” a term we’ve heard several times this year: Haney vs. Prograis, Benavidez vs. Andrade, Serrano vs. Ramos. None of those bouts compared to the spectacle we witnessed with Ramirez vs. Espinoza. Not only was this one of the greatest upsets in world title history, but a true display of what can be accomplished through sheer will. Robeisy Ramirez is undoubtedly the “better” boxer. His ring IQ was on display. His accomplishments outshine Espinoza’s. But tonight, the unknown challenger didn’t give him the chance to show his skills. He kept moving forward. He showed no quarter. He took punishment: clean, hard shots. He kept punching. This was greatness. 

Ramirez vs. Espinoza was brought to you by Top Rank Boxing and took place at the Charles Dodge Center in Pembroke Pines, FL.