Rafael Espinoza vs Sergio Chirino Sanchez Preview June 21st, 2024
Unbeaten WBO Featherweight Champion Rafael Espinoza of Mexico takes on fellow countryman Sergio Chirino Sanchez in his first title defence this Friday, June 21st. The 12-rounder from Las Vegas, Nevada can be seen live in America on the ESPN+ platform while fans in the UK and Ireland can catch it on Sky Sports Action. Ramirez won the title the last time out when he pulled off a huge upset by beating Robeisy Ramirez by 12-round majority decision. Espinoza was down in the fifth round of the slugfest while Ramirez hit the deck in the 12th. Chirino Sanchez last boxed in February when he stopped Dennis Contreras in the third round.
Espinoza vs Chirino Sanchez Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Sergio Chirino Sanchez +500
- Rafael Espinoza -800
My Pick
The 30-year-old Espinoza enters the ring with a perfect mark of 24-0 with 20 Ko’s and has boxed 87 rounds since turning pro in 2013. He’s got plenty of power in his punches with a current knockout ratio of 83.3 per cent and has stopped seven of his last eight opponents and 15 of his last 17. He’s gone the distance just four times and has fought 10 rounds just once and 12 rounds just once. Espinoza is listed at 6-feet-1-inch tall by Boxrec and if that’s true he’s a bit of a freak of nature for the 126 lb division.
Unfortunately there’s no information available on his reach however. This will be Espinoza’s fourth fight outside of Mexico and he’s took a huge step up in class against Ramirez but isn’t really doing the same against the relatively unknown Chirino Sanchez. Other than the win over Ramirez for the belt, Espinoza’s biggest wins have come over the likes of Carlos Ornelas, Aramis Solis, Alie Laurel, Gerardo Munoz and Rafael Ramirez. Also, just 10 of his 24 opponents have entered the ring with a winning record.
The 29-year-old Chirino Sanchez carries around an impressive mark of 22-1 with 13 Ko’s and has boxed 96 rounds since turning pro in 2016 following an amateur career which saw him participate in the World series of Boxing. He faced several well-known boxers in the amateurs including Hector Luis Garcia, Robeisy Ramirez and Gary Antonio Russell. There’s no height and reach information available for Chirino Sanchez but he’s definitely shorter than the 6-foot-1-inch champion.
As far as power is concerned, he is above average as 59.1 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage but he’s gone the distance in three of his past six outings. His lone defeat came at the hands of Mauricio Lara in 2018 when he failed to answer the bell for the third round of the eight-round battle. This will be Chirino Sanchez’s first fight outside of Mexico with his biggest wins so far coming over Dennis Contreras, Eduardo Nunez, Alie Laurel and Gustavo Melgar.
Prediction…
Espinoza has the decided edge in power and size and he’ll use this size to try and keep Chirino Sanchez at a distance and constantly let his hands. This could be an interesting fight for a few rounds but I expect Espinoza to eventually take control and break his opponent down to retain his belt.
Espinoza is a class above Chirino Sanchez at this point of their careers.
Play Espinoza -800 @ BetOnline.ag
Check out my recent boxing betting picks to see my current form.
Rafael Espinoza betting • Sergio Chirino sanchez betting