A night promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank in Mexico, specifically at the Arena Potosí in San Luis Potosí. The main event featured the bout for the WBO featherweight world title. Facing off were Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza, the reigning champion with a record of 27 wins, unbeaten with 23 KOs, and the two-time Muay Thai world champion Arnold Khegai, who entered the ring with a record of 23 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw, with 14 KOs.
In his fourth title defense, Espinoza came into the fight having stopped nine of his last opponents, an impressive run that continued tonight with the same trend, as “El Divino” dominated and won another fight by technical knockout.
In the first round, the usual feeling-out process began with a moderate pace dictated by Espinoza’s jab, which took advantage of his considerable reach. Khegai tried to get past the Mexican’s guard by working the body and cautiously stepping in to prepare his attacks.
“El Divino” started the second round by slightly increasing the tempo, keeping an active jab followed by body shots. Khegai continued searching for close range, managing to land some lead left hooks and straight rights to the body, but Espinoza moved well with his legs, circling around his opponent.
At the start of the third, Khegai was once again forced into a difficult task: trying to close the distance while avoiding Espinoza’s jab, which had excellent rhythm and timing. The Mexican continued landing shots, maintaining a high punch output, while Khegai, when he committed to his hooks with determination, managed to connect cleanly.
The pattern remained unchanged in the fourth round. Whenever Khegai succeeded in getting close, he landed well-placed hooks, but Espinoza remained elusive with his in-and-out footwork, preventing the Ukrainian from gaining continuity in his offense.
Khegai tried to be more aggressive at the start of the fifth, while Espinoza continued boxing intelligently, maintaining distance and unleashing steady combinations of hooks and uppercuts that Khegai absorbed but was clearly starting to feel.
In the sixth, the Mexican’s long reach proved increasingly difficult for Khegai to deal with, especially as Espinoza began sinking in heavier shots. The Muay Thai champion managed to land some single hooks, but Espinoza looked fully in control.
The seventh round began with Khegai still trying to get inside with loaded hooks, while Espinoza kept him at bay with constant uppercuts from long range. Khegai’s eye was checked as it began visibly swelling, but the doctor allowed the fight to continue, and Espinoza immediately resumed working with both hands, eventually landing a powerful right hand that shook Khegai’s legs.
In the eighth, “El Divino” began showcasing his hand speed, continuing to work with both hands. His jab inflicted constant damage to Khegai’s face, especially to the nose and left eye. Left hooks, right uppercuts, body uppercuts—an imaginative arsenal from the Mexican, who kept landing on an opponent unable to contain him.
The pace slowed in the ninth and tenth as fatigue set in. Both fighters focused on single, powerful shots. Espinoza loaded up on straight rights and right uppercuts, but faced a very tough rival who always tried to answer with short hooks.
Despite his resilience and toughness, Khegai was unable to continue into the eleventh round. His corner and the referee stopped the fight due to a swollen eye and broken nose, giving “El Divino” the win by technical knockout.
A fight in which Espinoza’s reach, distance control, and jab truly made the difference. His dominant and victorious run continues, as he remains champion with impressive numbers. Credit to his opponent, who never backed down from the exchanges despite the difficulties and damage sustained.
A match fully dominated by the Mexican—now we look forward to the next step for this very solid fighter.