Rafael Espinoza TKO6 Robeisy Ramirez... It was an odd ending, but once again, Rafael Espinoza (pictured) got the best of Robeisy Ramirez. Espinoza defended the WBO featherweight world title with a sixth-round TKO, earning the stoppage after Ramirez turned away and complained of double vision early in the round. [Editor's note: The ending was reminiscient of Roberto Duran's famous 'no mas' surrender in the rematch with Sugar Ray Leonard. Ramirez got punched in the eye at the end of round five and immediately raised a hand and turned away to indicate he was done fighting]. 

 

Espinoza (26-0, 22 KOs) dethroned Ramirez (14-3, 9 KOs) via majority decision last December in an action classic that featured a dramatic twelfth round. This time around, the end came suddenly and shockingly. Ramirez led 48-47 on two cards and trailed 49-46 on the third when the fight was stopped. “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.

 

“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.”

 

Ramirez said, “He got me with his elbow twice in the fourth round [Editor's note: replays were questionable about backing that claim up]. That’s when I started to see double. I told the referee. He did his job. He scolded him, but the damage had been done already. 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. 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.”