WBO featherweight champion, Rafael Espinoza makes the fourth defence of his title at Arena Coliseo in Mexico this Saturday, as he faces Arnold Khegai.
Bob Arum’s Top Rank promote Espinoza vs Khegai and the bill can be seen on Top Rank Classics FAST Channel.
Espinoza (27-0, 23 KOs) came to the fore in December 2023, as he upset Robeisy Ramirez via majority decision to become world champion.
After defending by fourth-round knockout, the 31-year-old then stopped Ramirez in the sixth round of a rematch, where he was behind on two scorecards at the time of the conclusion.
The Mexican was last seen in May in Las Vegas, dominating Edward Vazquez, before forcing a stoppage in the seventh round.
After losing to Stephen Fulton in 2020, Ukraine’s Khegai (23-2-1, 14 KOs) went on a run of six straight wins, but his progress was halted by Joet Gonzalez in March, with Gonzalez a split decision winner over 10 rounds.
The Ukrainian returned in September taking an eight-round points win against Liborio Solis in Germany.
Prediction: Espinoza is in fine form, and I fancy him to retain here in style, stopping the visitor in the later rounds.
Delgado battles Valenzuela
In the other 12-rounder on the card, Lindolfo Delgado steps up to the level for the first time to take on Gabriel Valenzuela in a Mexican derby at super lightweight.
Delgado (23-0, 16 KOs) has fought once in 2025, taking a majority decision win against Elvis Rodriguez in April, while Valenzuela (31-4-1, 17 KOs) was stopped in eight by Subriel Matias in March, before taking a points win over 10 rounds over Manuel Barrera in May.
Prediction: Delgado is being hyped as one of Mexico’s next big stars, and he can halt Valenzuela around the halfway mark here.
Vargas, Torrez return
In 10-round contests, Emiliano Vargas (15-0, 13 KOs) can be an early winner in his super lightweight contest against Jonathan Montrel (19-3, 13 KOs), and Richard Torrez Jr (13-0, 11 KOs), who was taken the distance by Guido Vianello in his last outing, can stop Tomas Salek (23-7, 14 KOs) in their heavyweight clash.
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Montalvo meets Patron
In a six-rounder at super featherweight, Julian Montalvo (4-0, 3 KOs) should score an early victory against Nicolas Patron (3-2, 1 KO).
