Rafael Espinoza


Rafael Espinoza Zepeda is a Mexican professional boxer who has held the World Boxing Organization featherweight title since December 2023.
IG rafa_espinoza

Professional career

Espinoza turned professional in 2013 and had compiled a 23–0 record by 2023. Before turning professional, Rafael Espinoza amassed only 11 amateur fights in his entire amateur career.

WBO Featherweight Champion

Espinoza vs. Ramírez

On December 9, 2023, at Charles F. Dodge City Center in Pembroke Pines, Florida, Espinoza defeated Robeisy Ramírez in a major upset by majority decision to become the new WBO featherweight champion.

Espinoza vs. Chirino

Espinoza was scheduled to make the first defense of his WBO featherweight title against Sergio Chirino on June 21, 2024, at BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau in Las Vegas. He won the fight by TKO in the fourth round, dropping the challenger three times in the first, third and fourth rounds.

Espinoza vs. Ramírez 2

Espinoza defeated Robeisy Ramírez by TKO after six rounds when Ramírez sustained an eye injury during a rematch at Footprint Center in Phoenix, AZ on December 7, 2024.

Espinoza vs. Vazquez

Espinoza made the third defense of his WBO featherweight title against Edward Vazquez at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on May 4, 2025. He defeated Vasquez by TKO in the 7th round.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
28Win28–0Arnold KhegaiTKO11, 0:1015 Nov 2025Arena Coliseo, San Luis Potosí, MexicoRetained WBO featherweight title
27Win27–0Edward VazquezTKO7, 1:474 May 2025T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBO featherweight title
26Win26–0Robeisy RamírezTKO6, 2:427 Dec 2024Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.Retained WBO featherweight title
25Win25–0Sergio Chirino SanchezTKO4, 2:4521 Jun 2024Fontainebleau Las Vegas, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBO featherweight title
24Win24–0Robeisy Ramírez129 Dec 2023Charles F. Dodge City Center, Pembroke Pines, Florida, U.S.Won WBO featherweight title
23Win23–0Ally MwerangiKO2, 1:5315 Jul 2023Restaurante Arroyo, Mexico City, Mexico
22Win22–0Rafael Rosas RamirezTKO3, 1:4425 Mar 2023El Domo del Code Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico
21Win21–0Orlando Garcia GuerreroTKO1 19 Nov 2022Arena Astros, Guadalajara, Mexico
20Win20–0Gerardo Valenzuela MunozTKO1, 2:4425 Jun 2022Palenque Fex, Mexicali, Mexico
19Win19–0Jose Gonzalez AyalaKO3 2 Apr 2022PALCCO, Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico
18Win18–0Alie LaurelKO1, 1:3719 Feb 2022Plaza Monumental, Tijuana, Mexico
17Win17–0Aramis SolisKO1, 0:1225 Sep 2021Complejo Deportivo La Inalámbrica, Merida, Mexico
16Win16–0Carlos OrnelasUD1016 Jan 2021Grand Hotel, Tijuana, Mexico
15Win15–0Luis Guzman RiosTKO2 27 Jun 2020Gimnasio TV Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico
14Win14–0Diego Andrade ChavezTKO5, 0:297 Jul 2018Domo del Parque San Rafael, Guadalajara, Mexico
13Win13–0Cristian Cortes GonzalezTKO6 17 Feb 2018Domo del Parque San Rafael, Guadalajara, Mexico
12Win12–0Juan Jose Lopez AlcarazTKO6, 1:569 Dec 2017Domo del Parque San Rafael, Guadalajara, Mexico
11Win11–0Mario CruzTKO6, 2:4529 Oct 2016Arena Coliseo, Guadalajara, Mexico
10Win10–0Jesus Marcelino AlvarezKO2 23 Jul 2016Gimnasio Usos Múltiples UdeG, Guadalajara, Mexico
9Win9–0Eden MarquezKO1 4 Jun 2016Gimnasio Usos Múltiples UdeG, Guadalajara, Mexico
8Win8–0Juan Jose Francisco Marquez SolanoKO1, 1:5612 Mar 2016Arena Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico
7Win7–0Karl GarciaUD430 May 2015Florentine Gardens, Hollywood, California, U.S.
6Win6–0Agapito GarciaKO1, 2:1220 Mar 2015Gimnacio Municipal de Box, Nogales, Mexico
5Win5–0Carlos Bacasegua Luzania3, 2:247 Nov 2014Forum del Mayo, Navojoa, Mexico
4Win4–0Victor Serrano IslasTKO5, 2:0511 Jul 2014Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
3Win3–0Luis MaciasTKO2 1 Nov 2013Auditorio Morelos, Aguascalientes, Mexico
2Win2–0Oscar Pena618 May 2013Foro Polanco, Polanco, Mexico
1Win1–0Victor Valadez3 15 Feb 2013El Gran Mexicano, Zapopan, Mexico