Two-time Cuban Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez turns 31 today after suffering an injury loss to WBO featherweight champion Rafael Espinoza on December 7th in their rematch at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
Robeisy Ramirez’s injury
Former WBO 126-lb champion Robeisy (14-3, 9 KOs) was forced to stop in the sixth round after suffering a right eye injury. It appears that Ramirez suffered a broken orbital grind in his right eye.
Robeisy believes the injury occurred earlier in the fight after he was elbowed by the 6’1″ Espinoza in the fourth round. Replays showed Robeisy getting nailed with an elbow from the stickman Espinoza in that round.
Before the injury occurred in the sixth, Robeisy overpowered Espinoza and appeared to be on his way to victory. However, as in the first fight, Espinoza caught Robeisy with accidental elbows. His height makes him a danger to shorter fighters, who are clipped with his elbows when he throws his uppercuts.
Robeisy was in control of both fights against Espinoza, but then things fell apart for him. In the first fight with Espinoza on December 9, 2023, he dropped him in the fifth round. The fight should have been stopped after Espinoza got back up and collapsed into the ropes.
What next for Robeisy?
Ramirez has yet to announce his plans for his next fight after recovering from his eye injury. He has now lost twice to Espinoza, and it would be wise for the Cuban talent to move on.
The 5’6′ Robeisy should focus on fighting normal-sized fighters in the featherweight division, as Espinoza is a freak of nature. He is designed more to fight at 135 or 140 with his height rather than draining to fight smaller guys at 126. Robeisy is unbeatable when fighting normal sized featherweights.
Top Rank is not going to put Robeisy back with Espinoza after this latest loss. Robeisy should target one of the other three featherweight champions against these fighters:
- Nick Ball: WBA
- Angelo Leo: IBF
- Brandon Figueroa: WBC
THE TRAIN 🚂
Congratulations on your birthday @RobeisyRamirez 🇨🇺 pic.twitter.com/5dWAemhdMt
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) December 20, 2024
