Rafael Espinosa (24-0, 20 KOs) plans to defend his WBO lightweight title for the first time on June 21 at Boxing Night in Mexico. The 29-year-old fighter's opponent will be Sergio Sanchez (22-1, 13 KOs).
Espinosa, a representative of Guadalajara, won the World Boxing Organization title in December, defeating Cuban left-hander Robeisy Ramirez by majority vote of the judges. The win was one of the biggest surprises of last year, with both opponents having been on the floor. The odds of Ramirez winning that fight were estimated at 6 to 1. If he wins, the Cuban could also become a very money fight opponent for Japan's Naoya Inoue.
For Sanchez, this will be his first championship fight in the professional ring. The 29-year-old Mexican last boxed in February.
