Rafael Espinoza vs Arnold Khegai: Featherweight world title showdown lands in San Luis Potosí, Nov. 15

By Tim Smith - October 19, 2025 - 10 comments

Mexico’s knockout artist Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza is bringing his WBO featherweight crown home — and the man trying to wreck the party is Ukraine’s Arnold Khegai. The two will square off on Saturday, November 15 at Arena Potosí in San Luis Potosí, Mexico.

For Espinoza, this is more than a title defense. It’s a homecoming in front of his own people, where the 6’1” featherweight freak looks to remind everyone why his rise has been one of boxing’s wildest recent stories. For Khegai, it’s a chance that’s been three long years coming — his first crack at world gold after grinding through the rankings.

Can Khegai handle Espinoza’s power on Mexican soil?

Khegai is no pushover. The Ukrainian-Korean brawler fought his way back after a tight loss to Joet Gonzalez, beating Liborio Solis last time out. But facing Espinoza in Mexico? That’s a storm few survive.

Espinoza (27-0, 23 KOs) burst onto the scene by dethroning Robeisy Ramirez in late 2023 in what became ESPN’s “Upset of the Year.” He’s been brutal ever since — three defenses, three beatdowns. Now he’s back home promising to “show new tools” while warning Khegai he’s in for a long night.

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The champ said it himself: “I’m happy to be fighting in my country, with my people. I know Arnold is strong, but that just pushes me harder.”

Delgado vs Gollaz headline co-feature — with Torrez Jr. and Vargas in tow

The co-main brings heat too. Lindolfo Delgado (23-0, 16 KOs) faces Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela (31-4-1, 17 KOs) in an IBF junior welterweight eliminator — all-Mexican, all-business. Both men punch like trucks, and both need the win to hit world title contention in 2026.

The undercard? Pure firepower.
Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. returns in a 10-round heavyweight scrap with Tomas Salek, while Emiliano Fernando Vargas takes his first scheduled 10-rounder against Jonathan Montrel. Seventeen-year-old Julian “El Natural” Montalvo looks to stay unbeaten in a six-rounder that might steal the night.

Ringside verdict

Espinoza’s run has that star-in-the-making vibe — tall, explosive, confident, and dangerous. Khegai brings grit and experience, but fighting this version of El Divino in Mexico feels like a one-way ticket to survival mode.
The co-feature and undercard just sweeten the deal. This card has “Top Rank chaos” written all over it.

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10 thoughts on “Rafael Espinoza vs Arnold Khegai: Featherweight world title showdown lands in San Luis Potosí, Nov. 15”

  1. “If you ask me, Espinoza should already be a bigger name everywhere. He beat Robeisy bad and people still doubt him? That’s crazy talk.

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  2. All these fights looking good but let’s be real, Espinoza is carrying this card alone. That man is a beast and he fighting with the whole country behind him 🇲🇽🔥.

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  3. People acting like Khegai gonna surprise us but how? Dude barely won his last fight and now he facing a monster in Mexico? No way that ends good for him 😤.

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  4. Khegai is tough but he don’t got the tools to win this. Espinoza been knocking guys out like nothing. I don’t think Arnold even knows what he’s walking into.

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  5. I don’t care what nobody says, Espinoza is too tall and hits too hard. Khegai ain’t ready for this. You can’t just show up in Mexico and beat the champ in his own house.

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    • Exactly! People forget it’s not just about boxing skill, it’s about heart and home crowd power 💥🇲🇽. Khegai gonna feel that real quick.

      Reply

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