E leven years ago, following two Southern California appearances, Rafael Espinoza was an unbeaten young prospect who was beginning to catch the attention of U.S. promoters. At nearly six feet tall, the Mexican junior featherweight who could box from a distance or fight on the inside was hard to miss. And yet, following his seventh pro bout, on the undercard of a Top Rank promotion in Hollywood, California, Espinoza went missing for nearly eight years due to visa issues. The Guadalajara native continued his career in Mexico as he matured into a formidable 6-foot-1 featherweight, but few noticed. For Mexican fighters, not fighting in America often means not existing in the eyes of the boxing world.
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
RAFAEL ESPINOZA WAS JUST GAINING MOMENTUM WHEN A RED-TAPE NIGHTMARE KEPT HIM OUT OF THE MAINSTREAM FOR YEARS, BUT A LONG SHOT AT A FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE LAUNCHED HIM INTO THE WORLDWIDE SPOTLIGHT By Ernesto Amador
Opposite page: Espinoza attacks Edward Vazquez in his third title defense.
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker