Mexico’s Rafael Espinoza will challenge Robeisy Ramirez for the WBO featherweight title at the Charles F. Dodge City Center, Pembroke Pines, Florida, on Saturday.

The unheralded Espinoza turned professional ten years ago in his homeland. Since then, he’s had to work his way through the ranks before landing his first world title shot.

“It’s the opportunity of a lifetime and it’s happening at the perfect time, and I’m taking it with all the responsibility required,” Espinoza (21-0, 18 knockouts) told The Ring through Gabriel Rivas. “Becoming a world champion has been what I’ve wanted since I first put gloves on and I’m very close to that, so I’m very happy.”

The 29-year-old Guadalajara native knows all about the defending champions ability from the amateurs and how they have translated into the professional ranks but feels he is more than ready to step up and test his mettle.

“This will be the best opposition that I have ever faced, and I have worked for that,” he said. “I believe in myself and I believe I am ready to show the world what I am capable of doing.

“I’m aware of what he did as an amateur, he’s a world champion and a great champion. I think he’s one of the best and that gives me motivation to demonstrate that I also can be one of the best.”

At 6-foot-1, Espinoza will hold height and likely reach advantages over Ramirez. And while that is part of his plan, it’s not all of his plan.

Rafael Espinoza (left) – Photo courtesy of Zanfer Promotions

“I try to use my distance because that is my advantage, but I also like to get inside,” explained “El Divino”, who arrived in Florida on Monday. “I know how to move myself well on the inside. For some people that is strange because they can’t believe I can do that but it’s very easy for me, so I like working on both distances.

“We’re going to use all the strategies, all that I have to do to win and all that I have to demonstrate that I can do this.”

Espinoza, who is a +550 (11/2) underdog, appreciates he’s a outsider but isn’t not paying attention to the oddsmakers.

“Knowing that I can do it, people don’t know my training, they don’t know my boxing,” said Espinoza, clearly growing into the spotlight. “I haven’t had a lot of fights where I can demonstrate what I am capable of but I believe in myself and this great possibility of becoming world champion. I sleep, walkd and eat boxing – always.”

Aside from Espinoza’s already noted height and reach advantages over Ramirez, he is otherwise largely an unknown commodity. On the other side, Ramirez has found his stride and looks like he maybe the best, or certainly one of the best, featherweights in the world. I suspect this is something of a showcase fight for him and as such he’ll win and win well. Ramirez may look to get inside and force the stoppage in nine rounds.

Ramirez (13-1, 8 knockouts), rated at No. 4 by The Ring at featherweight, who won gold at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, and then turned professional to great acclaim after defecting from Cuba. Things didn’t go to plan when Ramirez was stunned by Adan Gonzales (SD 4) in his pro debut, but the worm turned quickly. After regrouping, he shut out Gonzalez (UD 6) in a rematch, and has gone from strength to strength after that.

The 29-year-old southpaw looked the real deal in taking apart Eric Donovan (TKO 3) and previously unbeaten Abraham Nova (KO 5). Those wins landed him a shot at the vacant WBO title which he won by dominating Isaac Dogboe (UD 12). He has since made one defense against Satoshi Shimizu (TKO 5) in Japan.

Ramirez-Espinoza, plus supporting undercard, which takes place on ESPN, begins at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT.

Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at [email protected].

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