Robeisy Ramirez vs Rafael Espinoza Preview December 9th , 2023
WBO Featherweight Champion Robeisy Ramirez of Cuba defends the belt for the second time this Saturday, December 9th when he takes on unbeaten Rafael Espinoza of Mexico. The 12-rounder from Pembroke Pines, Florida can be seen live in America on the ESPN and ESPN+ platform while fans in the UK and Ireland can catch the fight on Sky Sports Arena and those in Canada can see it on TSN2. Ramirez last fought in July when he stopped Satoshi Shimizu in the fifth round. Ramirez beat Isaac Dogboe by unanimous decision to take the vacant belt in April of this year. Espinoza last saw action in July as well when he halted Ally Mwerangi in two rounds.
Ramirez vs Espinoza Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Rafael Espinoza +800
- Robeisy Ramirez -1500
My Pick
The 29-year-old southpaw Ramirez now fights out of Las Vegas and has gone 85 rounds since making his pro debut in 2019 with a mark of 13-1 with 8 Ko’s. He’s best known for his excellent amateur career which saw him win the Cuban National Championships as well as win gold at the 2010 AIBA Youth Championships and Youth Olympic Games as the 2011 Pan American Games, 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games and at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics.
After winning so much as an amateur, including two Olympic golds, Ramirez came out cold in his pro debut as he was dropped in the first round and lost an embarrassing four-round split decision to Adan Gonzales. Since then he’s won all 13 of his fights with eight stoppages and beat Gonzales via a six-round unanimous decision in their rematch in July, 2020. He stepped up in class against Isaac Dogboe earlier this year, dropped him in the 12th round and won a wide unanimous decision for the belt.
Ramirez has captured the vacant NABO Jr Featherweight title as a pro as well as the vacant WBO Global, and IBF USBA Featherweight Belts. He stands 5-feet-6-inches tall with a 68-inch reach and has pretty good power as 61.5 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage and has stopped four of his last five opponents. Ramirez has all the tools to be a successful pro as he combines skill, speed and power with a high ring IQ. However, he learned after his pro debut that he needs to work hard at his craft instead of taking anything for granted.
As for the 29-year-old Espinoza, he enters the ring with a perfect mark of 21-0 with 18 Ko’s and has boxed 71 rounds since turning pro in 2013. He’s got plenty of power in his punches with a current knockout ratio of 85.7 per cent and has stopped his last five opponents and 13 of his last 14. He’s gone the distance just three times and has fought 10 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 and will have a seven-inch height advantage on the champion. Unfortunately there’s no information available on his reach. This will be Espinoza’s third fight outside of Mexico and he’s taking a step up in class for sure. His biggest wins have come over the likes of Carlos Ornelas, Aramis Solis, Alie Laurel, Gerardo Munoz and Rafael Ramirez. Also, just nine of his 21 opponents have entered the ring with a winning record.
Prediction…
Espinoza has the decided edge in power and size but that’s where his advantages end. He has a puncher’s chance but definitely doesn’t match Ramirez when it comes to pure boxing skills and speed. Espinoza can attempt to use his size to keep Ramirez at a distance and constantly let his hands go or he’s going to be outboxed. This should be an interesting fight for a few rounds but I expect Ramirez to eventually take control and retain his belt due to his superior boxing skills.
Ramirez is a class above Espinoza at this point.
Play Ramirez -1500 @ BetOnline.ag
Check out my recent boxing betting picks to see my current form.
Rafael Espinoza betting • Robeisy Ramirez betting