Top Rank Signs Featherweight World Champion Rafael Espinoza to Co-Promotional Contract with Zanfer Promotions
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 13 Jun 2024
Espinoza to defend his WBO crown against Sergio Chirino on Friday, June 21 inside BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas LIVE on ESPN+
LAS VEGAS (June 12, 2024) – Unbeaten WBO featherweight world champion Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza has inked a multi-fight co-promotional agreement with Top Rank, who will work alongside Zanfer Promotions.
Espinoza, a 30-year-old native of Guadalajara, Mexico, will make the first defense of his title against countryman Sergio Chirino on Friday, June 21, inside BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas and streaming LIVE on ESPN+.
“Rafael Espinoza is a fighter who gives the fans excitement every time he steps through the ropes," said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum. "I look forward to working with our friends at Zanfer Promotions to deliver Rafael the biggest and best fights. He has all the tools to become one of the great Mexican champions of his era."
Espinoza said, “I’m very excited about this agreement between Zanfer Promotions and Top Rank to take my career to another level. I promise you all great fights and great wars. And more than anything else, I promise to continue giving my all to win the hearts of all the fans. I’m also excited about my main event fight in Las Vegas. I'll show that this title will stay with me for a long time.”
Espinoza (24-0, 20 KOs) spent over a decade in the paid ranks before getting his shot at a world title. Last December, he prevailed in a Fight of the Year contender against then-WBO king Robeisy Ramirez. Espinoza took an early lead, was dropped in the fifth, and rebounded to knock down the Cuban two-time Olympic gold medalist in the 12th round. Espinoza emerged with a majority decision victory, becoming the 30th Mexican featherweight world champion and the 20th from his home state of Jalisco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS TADURAN VS. PEREZ WEIGH-IN RESULTS
Fri, 03 Apr 2026PLANET ICE FIGHT NIGHT: WEIGH-IN RESULTS AS BROWN AND DUCAR FACE-OFF FOR FINAL TIME
Fri, 03 Apr 2026Battle of the Trades Returns for Its 3rd Year April 25 at Torrey Pines Community Resource Center in Las Vegas
Fri, 03 Apr 2026Bobby Laing vs. Russ Kimber in intriguing Intra-state match-up between Massachusetts Light Heavyweights on ‘Rumble at the Rink II’
Fri, 03 Apr 2026PH chess wizard Jacobb Seda ties for 1st, settles for silver on tiebreaks in Thailand meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 03 Apr 2026Rene “Chulo” Santiago, Masataka Taniguchi Officially Make Weight for Friday’s Unified World Title Clash in Tokyo
Thu, 02 Apr 2026Marlon Tapales and Yukinori Oguni Make Weight in Clash of Former World Champions
Thu, 02 Apr 2026Taduran in high spirits ahead of title defense in California
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 02 Apr 2026Waiting to beat Floyd
By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 02 Apr 202620th Philippine Xiangqi Open tournament on May 1
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 02 Apr 2026Can Tapales Overpower Oguni to Increase his Chances of Another World Title Fight?
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 02 Apr 2026BROWN-DUCAR PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AHEAD OF FRIDAY'S ALTRINCHAM FIGHT NIGHT
Thu, 02 Apr 2026Wise Owl Boxing Makes Headlines Again with Signing of Former World Champion Julio Cesar “El Rey” Martinez
Thu, 02 Apr 2026Santiago-Taniguchi Final Presser
Wed, 01 Apr 2026Jimuel in Action on Friday!
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 01 Apr 2026