Top Rank Boxing presents a doubleheader boxing event Robeisy Ramirez vs. Rafael Espinoza and Xander Zayas vs. Jorge Fortea live on ESPN, Saturday, December 9th at the Charles F. Dodge City Center in Pembroke Pines, Florida.
The card is headlined by a WBO featherweight title fight featuring the current champion Robeisy “El Tren” Ramirez taking on tough unbeaten Mexican challenger Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza.
Ramirez (13-1, 8 KOs) is a two-time Olympic gold medalist for Cuba and since turning pro he has only one defeat and now holds a world featherweight title.
He credits his recent success to head trainer Ismael Salas who is also from Cuba and has trained many top boxers. Ramirez has wins over Eric Donovan, Abraham Nova, and Jose Matias Romero. In 2023 he captured the WBO world featherweight title beating former world champion Isaac Dogboe by unanimous decision and defending it with a fifth-round TKO against Satoshi Shimizu of Japan.
For his next title defense, the Cuban champion will go head to head with a 6’1″ tall undefeated Mexican opponent. Espinoza (21-0, 18 KOs) is coming to the ring having knocked out his last five opponents. This is his first world title opportunity and he believes his height and reach will be his advantage heading into the fight.
In the co-main event, popular Puerto Rican boxing prospect Xander Zayas will take on Jorge Fortea of Spain in a 10-round light middleweight bout.
The undefeated Zayas (17-0, 11 KOs) who signed with Top Rank at age 16, is quickly honing his craft and getting better with each fight. He is one of Top Rank’s most promising future stars and is on the fast track to world title contention.
On Saturday, Zayas will test himself against 13-year veteran Fortea (24-3-1, 9 KOs). This will be a good test for the young Puerto Rican sensation and he must stay focused to avoid an upset by Fortea.
Fight Card
Featherweight Championship – Robeisy Ramirez vs. Rafael Espinoza (WBO Title)
Light Middleweight – Xander Zayas vs. Jorge Fortea
Heavyweight – Richard Torrez Jr. vs. Curtis Harper
Featherweight – Bruce Carrington vs. Jason Sanchez
Middleweight – Jahi Tucker vs. Francisco Daniel Veron
Light Welterweight – Rohan Polanco vs. Keith Hunter
Light Welterweight – Tiger Johnson vs. Jimmer Espinosa
Heavyweight – Damian Knyba vs. Michael Coffie
Watch Top Rank Presents Doubleheader – World Featherweight Championship: Robeisy Ramirez vs. Rafael Espinoza – Junior Middleweight Battle: Xander Zayas vs. Jorge Fortea on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 10:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. PT, Live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and live stream online on ESPN+.
