Rafael Espinoza Defends WBO Featherweight Title Nov. 15

Espinoza-Khegai and select undercard fights will stream on the Top Rank Classics FAST Channel this Saturday beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT

Rafael ‘Divino’ Espinoza will make a voluntary defense of his WBO featherweight title against Arnold Khegai (23-2-1, 14 KOs) on November 15 in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Top Rank is putting on this event in association with Zanfer Boxing.

Undercard: Delgado vs. Valenzuela

• Lindolfo Delgado vs. Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela – IBF Super Lightweight Title Eliminator
• Richard Torrez Jr. vs. TBA – heavyweights
• Emiliano Vargas vs. TBA – light welterweights

Featherweight Division Avoidance

Espinoza (27-0, 23 KOs) has been avoided like the plague by the top contenders and champions at 126. As such, it’s understandable why he’s reduced to defending against 33-year-old Khegai rather than one of the unbeaten fighters, such as Bruce Carrington, Nick Ball, and Angelo Leo.

If Khegai is as good as it gets for Espinoza, then you can’t blame the Mexican star for taking this fight. It’s better to do that than to sit inactive.

Khegai is coming off an eight-round unanimous decision win over 43-year-old former WBA super featherweight champion Liborio Solis on September 12, 2025, in Berlin, Germany. Before that, Khegai lost to Joet Gonzalez by a 10-round split decision on March 8, 2025, in Long Beach, California.

When Khegai goes up against ‘Divino’ Espinoza on November 15, this will be his third fight in 2025. That’s admirable in this day and age for a fighter.

Espinoza, 31, has looked outstanding recently, beating Edward Vazquez, Robeisy Ramirez x 2, and Sergio Chirino Sanchez. The victories over two-time Olympic Cuban gold medalist Robeisy were especially impressive for the lanky 6’1″, as he dominated him in both fights.

Saturday, November 15 –  Top Rank Classics (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT)

Rafael Espinoza vs. Arnold Khegai, 12 Rounds, Espinoza’s WBO Featherweight World Title

Emiliano Vargas vs. Jonathan Montrel, 10 Rounds, Junior Welterweight

Lindolfo Delgado vs. Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela, 12 Rounds, IBF Junior Welterweight World Title Eliminator

Richard Torrez Jr. vs. Tomas Salek, 10 Rounds, Heavyweight

PLEASE NOTE: Highlights from the Julian Montalvo-Nicolas Patron junior lightweight bout will be shown during the broadcast. Montalvo (4-0, 3 KOs) is 17 years old and one of the youngest fighters ever to sign a promotional contract with Top Rank.