On Sunday, May 4, Rafael Espinoza (26-0, 22 KOs) plans to take center stage at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas as he defends his WBO featherweight title against Edward Vazquez (17-2, 4 KOs). This fight will serve as the co-feature to the highly anticipated Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas undisputed junior featherweight title bout. The action begins at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT, streaming live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+.
Espinoza is coming off a career-defining upset in December 2023, where he shocked Robeisy Ramirez for the WBO title in an epic battle that earned ESPN’s Upset of the Year. Despite being dropped in the fifth round, Espinoza stormed back to score a 12th-round knockdown, claiming a majority decision. He then went on to defend the title in June 2024, stopping Sergio Chirino in four rounds, and ending the Ramirez rivalry with a dominant sixth-round stoppage in their rematch.
Rafael Espinoza: Focused and determined
Espinoza is fully aware of the challenge in front of him and is treating Edward Vazquez like an undefeated champion. “Edward Vazquez is a great fighter. He’s going to come with everything. We chose him because we know it would make for an exciting fight,” Espinoza said during a recent training session in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. “I’m simply going to do my job. If the knockout comes, then great. Either way, I’m scoring a win for my people.”
Espinoza is taking no chances, ensuring he’s in top form for the challenge. “I’m treating Vazquez as if he were an unbeaten champion,” he added. “That’s how I’m taking things in my preparation, and that will ensure I don’t come in overconfident.”
This fight is personal for Espinoza, especially with the massive Mexican following on Cinco de Mayo Weekend. “It’s a great responsibility to fight on such an important weekend for Mexicans, so I see it as a source of motivation,” he said. “I want to continue representing Mexico on these important fight dates.”
Edward Vazquez: Hungry for the opportunity
Vazquez, a hungry contender from Fort Worth, Texas, enters his second world title shot, having recently stopped Kenneth Taylor in four rounds last October. He’s looking to take advantage of this huge opportunity, with the title firmly in his sights.
“I’ve been working hard and know this is my time,” Vazquez said. “I respect Espinoza, but I’m coming to win. This is a huge opportunity, and I’m ready for it.”
Why you should watch
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Espinoza is looking to prove his last win was no fluke and show the world he’s ready for the next big challenge.
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Vazquez brings knockout power and a fierce hunger for the title.
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Cinco de Mayo Weekend is always full of electric energy, and this fight will bring it.
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Inoue vs. Cardenas is the main event, but Espinoza vs. Vazquez could steal the show.
Confirmed fights
Main Card
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Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas, 12 rounds, junior featherweight, undisputed world title
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Rafael Espinoza vs. Edward Vazquez, 12 rounds, WBO featherweight world title
Undercard
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Additional bouts TBA
Event info
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Date: Sunday, May 4, 2025
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Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
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Time: 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT / 3:00 AM UK
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Stream: LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+
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Tickets: Available now via AXS.com
Will Espinoza continue his reign, or will Vazquez shock the world? Either way, you won’t want to miss this explosive Cinco de Mayo Weekend showdown.
*featherwaight champ vs guy who only ko’d four dudes* lol this gonna be a murder on ESPN 💀 yall better call ambulance ahead time 🤡 clown match comin up!
@Hollie Davis dont underestimate vazquez jus bc KO record low… skills > stats sumtimes ya kno?
@Hollie Davis yoooo 😂😂 true tho espinoza boutta send dude bak to texas in pieces
…i was readin dis wit my cousin and we not even sure if vazquz can take d heat🔥🔥🥵 cause last fight espinoza had man got hit harddd and still came back! dats power & resistense right there!
‘Im treatin vazquezz like undefeated’ – lol dat mean he scared 😂😂 yall see how he try downplay it but you can tell thru his quotes hes sweatin it… say goodbye to that belt Rafaaal 👋
Ok so what if espinoza win? He think he big dog now? He beat ramirez ONCE nd now actin like king of mexco 🐶🤣 Cinco de Mayo or not, he gon get humbled fasttt.
@Npowell he’s PROVED hisself twice already 😤 idk why ppl still doubt him when he been knockin ppl out like bowling pins
The significance of this matchup lies in its strategic implications within the WBO featherweight division. Espinoza’s footwork and jab control against Vazquez’s aggressive inside game will determine the tempo early on.
why dis even matter? boxing is ded sport, nobodys care no more…espinoza this vazquez that – same storie every tyme. bunch of guys punchin each other wit gloves for show. waste o time fr.
@Evans Adrian bro u dont kno nothin bout boxing 💀💀 this the realest sport left!! just bcoz u dunno who they is dont mean the fight not fire
This gonna be a epic 🔥🔥 fight i tel you. Espinoza he fight lik a lion las time, and he will do it again, no doubt. Vazques got heart but nah strong enuf to beat him. I put my money on rafa!! 🇲🇽🥊
**Espinz** gona win againnn coz his jab b hittn clean an he always bounce back when dropped lik champ do! vazqz not fast enuf n his record show only few KO’s, weak puncher 🤷♂️🥊📉📉.
*weak puncher*? u watch his last fight? lol go watch replay before talk trash 😂 stop underratin edward just cause media push espinoza!
‘Knockout comes great’? LOL sounds like he read fortune cookie 😄 but for real Espinoza talk like robot in interviews bruh give us somethin new than same copy-paste quotes every press.
…So we supposed to believ Espinosa is takin Vazquez serious when he call him ‘great fighter’ 😂 that some PR talk if I ever heard one. They just tryin hype this mid-card bout up 📺💤
th fight is importent cos its show strength of latin fighters on cinco de mayo weeken, its more then bout wins or belt it’s about heritage and preformance on biggest stage 👊🔥💪.
**heratige**? please, y’all jus makin everything sentimental smh 🤦♂️ it’s a sport not a history class.
Vazquez no stand chance. He not have enuff power or confdence, you can tell by talkin. Espinoza is champ for reason and will smash him easly like last time. 🥊💥
nah bro ur wrong. VAZKEZ got handz, he beat Taylor easy! dont underestimat him jus bcuz u luv espinoza so much lol 🤣 this gona be closee
Rafael Espinosa is like wow he’s good but also I think the Vazkez maybe can do upset? 🤔👊 They both punch much and hit big time. The fight gonna be a banger for shurrr! 🇲🇽🔥