Rafael Espinoza (right) lands a right hand on Robeisy Ramirez during their thriller on December 9 in Pembroke Pines, Florida. Photo credit: Mikey Williams, Top Rank
A rematch that was previously thought to be settled is now up for grabs to the highest bidder.
The Ring has confirmed that the second act of the Rafael Espinoza-Robeisy Ramirez WBO featherweight title fight series is now headed for a purse trial. WBO officials scheduled the session for October 11 after an inquiry with Top Rank, which is involved with both boxers.
“On September 4, 2024, this committee ordered negotiations for the subject match to begin,” WBO Championship Committee Chairman Luis Batista-Salas noted. “The parties have been given 15 days to negotiate and reach an agreement accordingly. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the negotiation period referred to herein has passed without the parties being able to reach an agreement.
“Conversely, on 3 October 2024, the WBO e-mail communication from (top-ranking VP) Mr. Carl Moretti, in which he advised that the parties could not reach terms and consequently the petition requested that purse proceedings be called in accordance with our management. rules and regulations.”
The minimum accepted bid is $150,000. Espinoza (25-0, 21 knockouts) is entitled to 75 percent of the winning bid as the defending champion. The balance of 25 percent is given to Ramirez (14-2, 9 KOs) as the mandatory challenger.
Espinoza is represented in talks by Zanfer Boxing. Ramirez is promoted by Top Rank, Espinoza’s co-promoter.
According to WBO rules, Espinoza has until December 9 to make his first mandatory title defense. There were previously rumors that the fight could end up on the undercard of another rematch. As reported by The Ring, WBO 130-pound titlist Emanuel Navarrete (38-2-1, 31 KOs) and former two-division belt holder Oscar Valdez (32-2, 24 KOs) will meet again on Dec. 7 in Phoenix. Navarrere won their first fight by unanimous decision last August 12 in nearby Glendale, Arizona.
Top Rank will either have to win the bid or get both sides to agree to terms for those rumored plans to become reality.
Espinoza ended Ramirez’s WBO featherweight title fight by majority decision on December 9 in Pembroke Pines, Florida. Both fighters were dropped, but a 12th round knockout scored by Espinoza secured the victory.
The fight was considered by many outlets to be one of the best fights of 2023. With the win, the 6’1″ Espinoza became the longest featherweight title holder in history. The undefeated 30-year-old is currently The Ring’s no. 6-rated feather weight. He retained his title in a fourth-round knockout of Sergio Chirino (22-2, 13 KOs) on June 21 in Las Vegas.
Ramirez (14-2, 9 KOs) held the WBO title for just eight months before running into Espinoza.
The two-time Olympic Gold medalist for Cuba won the title in a twelve-round decision over Isaac Dogboe last April. He made one successful defense, a fifth-round knockout of Satoshi Shimizu last July 25 in Tokyo.
Ramirez’s loss to Espinoza snapped a 13-fight winning streak after losing his pro debut in August 2019.
The Ring’s no. 9-rated feather weight returned to the win column with a June 29 seventh-round knockout of Brandon Leon Benitez in Miami Beach.
