The ending was as sudden as it was stunning. In a fight that was just starting to get heated up a bit, Robeisy Ramirez waved things off and decided to call it a night against Rafael Espinoza at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Just like that, Espinoza was ruled the winner via sixth round TKO in defense of the WBO featherweight title he won from Ramirez a year ago.
Ramirez stated that a stray elbow had caused double-vision to his right eye. There was visible swelling on it that could be seen in the immediate aftermath of this bout. The online reaction was wide ranging. Many believed that Ramirez had quit. While others were a bit more sympathetic to his plight.
Was this a forced capitulation dressed up as an injury, or a justified surrender?
Mikey Williams/Top Rank
It's all a matter of opinion based on your perspective. Every boxer who chooses this as his profession understands the risks they are taking. But at the same time, do they not have the right to reasonably look out for their own safety and long term health?
https://x.com/NovaFightFreak/status/1865764277338157410
Boxing fans can be a rather bloodthirsty bunch. After all, it's easy to question the heart and guts of the man in the arena. Yet it has to be stated, the risks that they take is the reason why many tune in and buy tickets. There may never really be a middle ground on situations like this. Also, your views on who may or may not have quit are in line with your particular loyalty to a boxer. Fans have never been accused of being unbiased.
Some will argue -- and they do have a point -- that given what was at stake, that Ramirez had a duty to fight on. After all, that's what fighters do, right? Well, does it change your mind that it's being reported that Ramirez suffered an orbital bone fracture?
It was pointed out to me by a former world champion that Naoya Inoue suffered a similar injury in his first go-around with Nonito Donaire. Perhaps that's the difference between an all-time great special fighter, and one that is just a very good one. Is it fair to ask all fighters to have the same threshold of pain as Inoue? It shows that the difference between boxers isn't just about natural talent or skills.
Let's make this clear, boxers have flat out quit and have justifiably been ridiculed for it. But many others have waved the proverbial white flag, and in retrospect made the right decision. You can decide where you stand on Ramirez. At the end of the day, it will be him that will have to live with the ramifications of his decision.
This was an anti-climatic end to what was one of the most dramatic fights of 2023. It was 12 months ago that Ramirez came off the canvas and staged a dramatic comeback, scoring a late knockdown in the final minute of their first clash. This time around, it was Ramirez securing an early lead (he lead on two of the three scorecards after five rounds) but it looked as though the freakishly tall Espinoza was getting revved up.
Mikey Williams/Top Rank
“I was just doing my job. Obviously, I caught him," Espinoza said. "I was barely getting started. Honestly, I think the pressure and the rest of the rounds were going to be very difficult for him. This means that he felt my power. He felt my hand. Perhaps he thought that he wouldn’t be able to handle it. But it happened. I won.
It's going to be a tall order for any current featherweight to defeat the 6'1 Mexican. At age 30, 'el Divino' is an ascending fighter.
“I’ve said it from the start. I want to be a legend. I want to be a Mexican boxing great. I want to fight against anyone. I want the people to know that I’m here to give them great fights," stated Espinoza, who looks to be in line for some big fights in the near future.
Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Meanwhile, Ramirez will have to live with the choice he made.
“I think {abandoning the fight} was the best decision. I did that instead of taking more punches, especially since I have double vision, and I couldn’t be at my best," he said. "That’s the best decision in order to take care of my health. If I can’t continue because of my vision, it’s better to stop.”
REPEAT
In the nights main event in Arizona, Emanuel Navarette, showed that he's a formidable 130-pounder by dominating in his rematch versus Oscar Valdez in defense of his WBO junior lightweight title. When they met last summer, Navarette, pounded home a decisive 12 round decision.
This time around it didn't even go a full six rounds as Navarette floored Valdez three times on his way to a TKO victory.
Emanuel Navarrete Delivers Oscar Valdez A Classic BEATDOWN | FIGHT HIGHLIGHTS
Whatever Valdez had wasn't nearly enough to deal wit the constant onslaught of Navarette, who came into this fight claiming that he had a fully repaired left hand. Back in May, he looked rather flat in losing to Denys Berinchyk in a bid for the WBO lightweight title. Perhaps it was moving back down in weight, or maybe it was having two healthy hands, but 'el Vacquero' looked like his old self on this evening.
“I told everyone before that I would have a new left hand. And that’s what has happened. It felt really good. We are now starting a second stage of my career. And I plan to take advantage of it," said Navarette.
Mikey Williams/Top Rank
On the flip side, it looks like the end of the road for Valdez, who has had a very good career.
Valdez said, “We tried. That’s the most important thing. We tried to get the victory. Sorry to those who came to see me.
I wish it was a better result. Maybe next time. No excuses from me. He beat me well."
FINAL FLURRIES
Meanwhile in Puerto Rico, Richardson Hitchins captured the IBF junior welterweight title by decisively out-pointing Liam Paro over 12...On that card, some Matchroom Boxing prospects, Jalil Hackett and Marc Castro, took losses....It was announced that Israil Madrimov is suffering from ''acute bronchitis'' so he's out of his bout against Serhii Bohachuk on December 21. Bohachuk will now face Ishmael Davis on the Usyk-Fury II card in Saudi Arabia...I can be reached at k9kim@yahoo.com....
