LAS VEGAS – Edward Vazquez questioned Rafael Espinoza’s “experience” on the eve of their fight for the WBO featherweight title.
The 29-year-old Vazquez represents the third challenger to Espinoza’s crown since Espinoza transformed his career in December 2023 with a victory over Cuba’s Robeisy Ramirez that was so entertaining it proved one of the fights of the year.
Espinoza defeated the admired Ramirez again a year later, but on the undercard of Naoya Inoue-Ramon Cardenas on Sunday at T-Mobile Arena, and on the occasion of Cinco de Mayo weekend, he is the significant favorite.
Vazquez regardless insists that he is an improving fighter, partly as a consequence of defeats inflicted by Raymond Ford and Joe Cordina, and similarly questioned Ramirez’s experience at the highest level – and therefore whether Espinoza was flattered by those wins.
“He’s a world champion for a reason,” Vazquez told BoxingScene. “He’s a fast learner, but he doesn’t have a whole lot of experience. He didn’t have a very extensive amateur background; he really hadn’t fought outside of Mexico. He fought Robeisy Ramirez from Cuba, but he’s never fought an American fighter, so him not having experience outside of Mexico – that’s what he’s lacking.
“Once he got outside of fighting Mexican fighters and fought Robeisy Ramirez the first time, that little change-up in style gave him trouble. They had a war. The second fight, Robeisy was doing pretty well and then he caught that elbow and couldn’t continue anymore.
“Styles make fights. You get a Cuban mover versus a come-forward Mexican-style fighter, I’m going to pick the Mexican-style fighter every time. Ramirez is a very good fighter. He also doesn’t have a whole lot of professional world-class experience.
“Two wins versus Ramirez probably wasn’t enough because Ramirez wasn’t that big of a name quite yet. I’m out to knock him off, so he should enjoy it while he can.”
Espinoza, 31, is not only an improving fighter but also, at 6ft 1ins, is unusually imposing for a featherweight. Vazquez, who expects to weigh 142lbs when he makes his ring walk on Sunday, said: “We brought in some guys that were 126, 130. But mainly guys that were 147-, 154-pounders. We sparred bigger guys. I’m expecting him to be probably 145, 147 come fight night; so sparring those kind of guys, we’ll be ready.
“He’s got a good team behind him. He’s a good body puncher. He uses his uppercuts up the middle very well. Once you let him get his downhill momentum going, if he hurts you he’s going to keep piling it on. Once he starts to see you’re moving back – maybe hits you with a good body shot, a good uppercut or something – that’s when he starts to pile it on.
“They’re experienced. They’re experienced coaches. They’re going to help him make adjustments. Your coaches do play a big role; in the corner, they’ll be able to make a difference. I know they’re good at making adjustments, but I’ve got a great team – a better team – behind me also. We’re gonna make the better adjustments.
“He’s a Mexican world champion on Cinco de Mayo. That’s why I love this. I love being the underdog. All the pressure’s on him, man. I’m just over here chilling.”