Rafael Espinoza: “I’m Going To Steal
The Show On May 4!”
(April 27th) Mexico's featherweight king, Rafael Espinoza, plans to steal the spotlight on Cinco de Mayo Weekend.
The 31-year-old Espinoza defends his WBO crown against Edward Vazquez on Sunday, May 4, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Espinoza-Vazquez will serve as the co-feature to the undisputed junior featherweight showdown between Japanese pound-for-pound icon Naoya Inoue and San Antonio-born contender Ramon Cardenas.
Espinoza (26-0, 22 KOs) built his career in Mexico before shocking two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez for the WBO title in December 2023. Dropped in the fifth, he stormed back to score a 12th-round knockdown and claim a majority decision in ESPN’s Upset of the Year. He defended the title last June with a fourth-round TKO versus Sergio Chirino before ending the Ramirez rivalry by stopping him in six in their December rematch. Vazquez (17-2, 4 KOs), from Fort Worth, Texas, enters his second world title opportunity after knocking out Kenneth Taylor in four rounds last October.
Vazquez (17-2, 4 KOs), from Fort Worth, Texas, compiled an 11-0 record before suffering a highly controversial split decision defeat to eventual world champion Raymond Ford in February 2022. He rebounded with four victories before stepping up in weight to challenge undefeated IBF junior lightweight champion Joe Cordina in November 2023. Vazquez gave Cordina all he could handle in Monte Carlo, but Cordina retained his title with a majority decision. He returned to form with a decision over Daniel Bailey last May before blasting out Kenneth Taylor in four in October.
WBO featherweight world champion Rafael Espinoza will defend his crown against former world title challenger Edward Vazquez in the co-feature.
Inoue-Cardenas and Espinoza-Vazquez will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Ohashi Promotion, Teiken Promotions, and Sampson Boxing, tickets are on sale now via AXS.com.
This is what Espinoza said following a recent training session in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico:
“Edward Vazquez is a great fighter. He’s going to come with everything. We chose him because we know it would make for an exciting fight. This is an important fight for me. At the same time, I don’t like to predict knockouts or tell people how the fight will end. I’m simply going to do my job. If the knockout comes, then great. Either way, I'm scoring a win for my people."
“I’m treating Vazquez as if he were an unbeaten champion. That’s how I’m taking things in my preparation, and that will ensure I don’t come in overconfident. Also, I know that it’s a huge opportunity for him, so he will come in the best shape possible.”
“It’s a great responsibility to fight on such an important weekend for Mexicans, so I see it as a source of motivation. I want to continue representing Mexico on these important fight dates.”
“The only thing on my mind is Edward Vazquez and defeating him on May 4. But at the same time, I’d like to show the Japanese people that I’m also ready for Naoya Inoue. That kind of fight would help me become one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.”
“I’m going to steal the show on May 4 and give all the Mexicans in attendance a great night.”
In the ESPN-televised main event, Japanese pound-for-pound icon Naoya Inoue will defend his undisputed junior featherweight championship against San Antonio’s Ramon Cardenas.
“Naoya Inoue is among the most powerful and well-rounded fighters I’ve had the privilege of promoting, a singular boxing talent,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “After many years selling out arenas and stadiums in his native Japan, ‘The Monster’ is ready to take over Las Vegas on Cinco de Mayo weekend. Ramon Cardenas is a worthy challenger who has earned this opportunity with several impressive victories.”
Inoue (29-0, 26 KOs) is 24-0 with 22 knockouts in world title fights, a staggering championship run that began with his April 2014 knockout of Adrian Hernandez to win the WBC light flyweight title. He continued his decade-plus run of dominance with seven defenses of the WBO junior bantamweight world title before a nine-fight run at bantamweight that concluded with his stoppage of Paul Butler to win the undisputed title. Inoue toppled future Hall of Famer Nonito Donaire twice at bantamweight, including a second-round stoppage in June 2022. Inoue became the undisputed junior featherweight champion in just two fights, knocking out then-unified champions Stephen Fulton and Marlon Tapales in 2023. Last May, he packed over 50,000 fans into the Tokyo Dome, rising from a first-round knockdown to stop former two-division king Luis Nery in six. Inoue has since made two more defenses of the undisputed crown, knocking out TJ Doheny in seven and late replacement Ye Joon Kim in four.
Inoue said, “I am thankful to the fans in America who have followed my career. Fighting at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas is another career highlight, and I look forward to putting on a great
show for everyone in attendance. Cardenas is a tough opponent who I respect for accepting the fight without hesitation.”
Cardenas (26-1, 14 KOs) enters his first world title assignment on a 14-fight winning streak, a run of success that began with a September 2017 decision victory over Gabino Hernandez. He graduated to contender in 2024 with a pair of gut checks, forcing Israel Rodriguez Picazo to retire on his stool with a broken jaw and knocking out Eduardo Ramirez in the ninth round of a competitive fight. Cardenas returned to headline in San Antonio last month, overcoming a sixth-round knockdown to earn a unanimous decision over the previously unbeaten Bryan Acosta. Following the Acosta victory, Cardenas called for the Inoue showdown, saying, “I want to fight the best.” He now gets a monster opportunity to author a Las Vegas upset for the ages.
“This means the world to me. I’ve always aspired to fight for a world title, but to get a chance to fight for all the belts is a dream come true,” Cardenas said. “I always knew our paths would cross. I never had any doubts. When the fight was offered, I instantly accepted. I wouldn’t say it’s a lottery ticket, but you can't turn it down if you get a chance at the undisputed title. This is the opportunity of a lifetime.”
Two of boxing’s brightest young stars, Dominican contender Rohan Polanco and second-generation superstar Emiliano Fernando Vargas, are set to shine as part of the Cinco de Mayo Weekend super card on Sunday, May 4, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Polanco will lock horns with Argentinean puncher Fabian Maidana in a 10-round welterweight contest, while Vargas will face an opponent to be announced in an eight-round junior welterweight battle.
Polanco-Maidana and Vargas’ return will serve as the featured bouts on the ESPN+-streamed undercard.
“Rohan and Emiliano are emerging superstars and welcome additions to this incredible card at T-Mobile Arena,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “Before Inoue and Espinoza defend their titles, fight fans will have the opportunity to watch two future world champions in action.”
Polanco (15-0, 10 KOs), a 2020 Olympian, signed with Top Rank in December 2022. He made three trips to the office last year and left early twice. After an eight-round unanimous decision over Tarik Zaina in March, he demolished Luis Hernandez in two that June. Last September, he closed the year with a sixth-round stoppage of Argentine veteran Marcelino Lopez. Ranked No. 10 by the WBO at welterweight, Polanco kicked off 2025 by blasting through once-beaten Jean Carlos Torres in just two rounds in February. Maidana (24-3, 18 KOs), the 32-year-old younger brother of former two-division world champion Marcos Maidana, is a 10-year pro who challenged Mario Barrios for the WBC interim welterweight title in May 2024. He bounced back with knockout wins in Argentina in October and December.
Polanco said, "This fight is a major challenge for me, but it’s also a great platform to showcase my skills in front of a massive audience. This is a great step forward for my career and will give me a chance to earn new fans while proudly raising the Dominican flag."
Vargas (13-0, 11 KOs), the youngest son of former junior middleweight world champion Fernando Vargas, compiled a 110-10 amateur record before turning pro in May 2022 with a first-round knockout against Mark Salgado. He signed with Top Rank that October and made his promotional debut the following month by blitzing Julio Martinez in two rounds. The 20-year-old moved to junior welterweight last year and went 4-0 with three knockouts, including stoppages over Angel Varela, Jose Zaragoza, and Larry Fryers. Fresh off a highlight-reel second-round TKO over Giovannie Gonzalez last Saturday, he’s looking to keep the momentum rolling.
Vargas said, “To fight at T-Mobile Arena on Cinco De Mayo Weekend, alongside incredible champions like Naoya Inoue and Rafael Espinoza, is a great opportunity. I kicked off my 2025 campaign in style last week and will continue that momentum with another standout performance on May 4.”
In other scheduled undercard action:
• Japanese knockout artist Mikito Nakano (12-0, 11 KOs) will take on Puerto Rico’s Pedro Marquez (16-1, 10 KOs) in a 10-round fight at featherweight. Nakano is ranked in the Top 10 by the WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO.
• Former interim junior featherweight champion Raeese Aleem (21-1, 12 KOs) will face an opponent to be named in a 10-rounder at featherweight.
Japanese fighting icon Naoya Inoue is coming back to America.
The pound-for-pound king will defend his undisputed junior featherweight world title against San Antonio native Ramon Cardenas on Sunday, May 4, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Inoue has not fought in America since 2021 and has since won a pair of undisputed titles, cementing his status as a generational power-punching force.
About Top Rank
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