Part of the joy of the holiday season is re-watching things you’ve seen before. Sitting down to watch It’s a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Story, Elf, or another favorite holiday movie is as much a part of the holiday festivities as singing or unwrapping presents.
On Saturday night, two title fights that double as rematches will headline an intriguing card in Phoenix, Arizona. Rafael Espinoza (25-0, 21 KOs) will defend his light heavyweight title against Robeisi Ramirez (14-2, 9 KOs). The main event will feature Emmanuel Navarrete (38-2-1, 31 KOs) and Oscar Valdez (32-2, 24 KOs) for Navarrete’s junior lightweight championship.
Rafael Espinoza was a 15-1 underdog in the first bout against former Cuban two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisi Ramirez in December 2023. Espinoza won the title from Ramirez by majority decision. Espinoza overcame a knockdown in the fifth round and turned the tide in the fight, outscoring Ramirez 103-33 in rounds 10-12 and scored his knockdown in the twelfth round. The striking statistics for the entire fight were also unusual; Espinoza landed 995 punches to Ramirez’s 376 over twelve rounds.
Ramirez is the slight favorite with a -125 chance to avenge his loss to Espinosa.
Although Ramirez is not looking to get revenge on Espinoza, he has another potential opponent, Naoya Inoue. Should “The Monster” decide to move up to featherweight next year and aim to become a five-division world champion, Robeisi Ramirez will be waiting.
“I saw Inoue in person. He is a great fighter and a legend. But my impression is that he’s small for 126 pounds, and I’m not even that big for my division. Neither would he. It’s kind of small to progress, and at some point you reach your limits. There is only one Manny Pacquiao. No matter how good your boxing is, at some point, the weight becomes too much and the strength of the guys in the divisions above you becomes too much. My boxing is strong and I feel I can end Inoue’s history.
Before Ramirez can take care of Inoue, he has his hands full with Rafael Espinoza. Espinoza has fought once since upsetting Ramirez last December, defeating Sergio Chirino Sanchez by fourth-round TKO in June. Only twice in his career has Espinoza gone past the seventh round (his first fight with Ramirez and a ten-round unanimous decision win over Carlos Ornelas in January 2021). Although Espinoza turned pro six years before Ramirez and has nine more pro fights under his belt, Ramirez has gone more professional rounds (104) than Espinoza (91).
Ramirez says he will show the best version of himself on Saturday. Espinoza believes he has two big advantages in the fight. “Yes, we all know about my height advantage, but I also have another advantage, which is my heart.” So I will show my heart by giving it my all in the ring this Saturday.”
Emmanuel Navarrete defeated Oscar Valdez the first time these two Mexican fighters met in August 2023. Valdez was a warrior in defeat, absorbing punishment from Navarrete in a manner that was both honorable and unpleasant. The fight was exciting, though Navarrete earned a wide unanimous decision victory.
While Valdez has a stellar record with just two losses in 34 professional fights, the two losses have come in his last four fights. Shakur Stephenson outworked Valdez to hand him his first loss in April 2022. A decision win over Adam Lopez and a knockout of Liam Wilson in his last fight contributed to Valdez’s loss to Navarrete.
For Valdez, who turns 34 in a couple of weeks, if he doesn’t win on Saturday, many will wonder if he should hang up his gloves. On Wednesday, Valdez addressed that sentiment. “No-no, it’s win or win for me. Pension does not cross my mind because I am already an optimistic person. A very positive thinker. There is no reason to think about retirement. The moment you start thinking about retirement, you should retire. That shouldn’t cross your mind. In my mind right now, I love this sport too much.” “I like it a lot more than my opponent. I bet he doesn’t like it as much as I do.”
Emmanuel Navarrete is the champion, a 2 ½-to-1 favorite in this fight, and has already beaten Valdez, but what makes Saturday’s rematch so intriguing is that Navarrete hasn’t fared well in his recent fights either. Navarrete has fought twice since beating Valdez, with a draw and a loss in those bouts. Last November, Navarrete fought Robson Conceicao to a majority draw before moving up in weight for his final contest in May. Navarrete was unsuccessful in his bid to become a four-division champion, losing to Denis Berinchik in a fight for the vacant 135-pound championship. Back in the 130-pound weight class, Navarrete looks to get back in the win column on Saturday night.
Many Mexican fans will be present at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. For each man, facing another Mexican fighter in front of a crowd of his countrymen should motivate Valdez and Navarrete to put up another good fight.
This Saturday night, gather around the big TV and enjoy the gift of two great rematches.