Rafael Espinoza and Sergio Chirino press conference notes
Two Mexican warriors, Espinoza and Chirino, are set to author another chapter in their country’s historic saga of championship battles in what will mark the 161st all-Mexican world title fight.
Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza (24-0, 20 KOs) will make the first defence of his WBO featherweight world title against Sergio Chirino (22-1, 13 KOs) this Friday, June 21, inside BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, streaming live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ and Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland.
In the 10-round junior lightweight co-feature, Andres “Savage” Cortes (21-0, 12 KOs) and Abraham “El Super” Nova (23-2, 16 KOs) will collide in a high-stakes battle presented in association with Murphys Boxing and 12 Rounds Promotion.
In a 10-round special attraction, unbeaten middleweights Troy Isley (12-0, 5 KOs) and Javier Martinez (10-0-1, 3 KOs) will reignite a fierce amateur rivalry.
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zanfer Promotions, tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster.com.
This is what the fighters had to say at Wednesday’s press conference:
Rafael Espinoza: “I’m excited, and I’m happy. My heart is jumping because this is another dream come true. This is another reason why I started boxing, and now, it’s happening, thank God. I’m very happy to be here with all my people, and I’m excited and waiting for the day to come.
“The only thing that changed about my life is that now people call me a champion. I have also learned a lot. I have learned to enjoy the moment and to work as a champion. With me and my family, it has all been the same. They are with me, and that’s what is important.
“Every time anyone has an opportunity like this, they come to win, and we’re conscious of that. And that’s why we worked hard. I’ve done all the work, and I do my talking in the ring. I don’t like to talk outside of the ring. So, the best man will win. The champion will win.”
Sergio Chirino: “We are happy because the opportunity for a world title is here. And we’re excited because, like any boxer, we want to achieve this dream. We’re here, and we’re going for it Friday night.
“When there are two Mexicans in the ring, it is always a great show. And in this fight, there will be a surprise.
“We came here to tell the same story Rafael did when he [won the world title]. So, we’re going to win that world title and be the first to do it from Oaxaca.”
Andres Cortes: “I spoke this fight into existence, and you gotta be careful what you ask for.
“I believe in my team. I believe in my skills and everything I do. So, I’m ready for whatever.
“I don’t think I’m a dirty fighter. At the end of the day, it’s a fight in there. So, you do what you gotta do.”
Abraham Nova: “I have incredible skills. I feel like I’m really underrated in my skill set. I had a lot of tweaks that I fixed from my past fights. I fixed some things in camp, and staying active has helped me in my training. I feel like my skills, experience, and the journey I’ve been on in my boxing career will prevail and show out Friday night to get that victory.
“I need credible names. Andres Cortes is undefeated and has beaten some good names. This is the type of fight I need to get back in the mix to fight for a world title.
“People can say whatever they want about me. His people can say stuff. My people can say stuff. That doesn’t matter. At the end of the day, our fists do the talking. Our fists do the work, and Friday night, you guys are gonna see me shine.”
Troy Isley: “This fight means everything to me. It’s a little get-back. He won the last two times. I’m here to show him that it’s different now. There’s new levels to this.
“He’s in the way of my dreams. That title right there, I need it around my waist. He’s in the way, so I need to get him up out of there.
“I’ve been there with the best. I’ve been working with ‘Bud’ Crawford. I got some rounds in with Carlos Adames, some champions. I’m not worried about anything he’s bringing to the table. I’m the better fighter at this level.”
Javier Martinez: “The feeling is mutual. This is the pros, so I feel like I’m better on this stage.
“I never ducked nobody. They offered me the fight, so I took it. Simple as that.
“I had a good training camp. I sparred some good sparring partners. I’m just confident. So, 10 rounds, five rounds, two rounds, I’m going to get it done.”
Steven Navarro: “I want to show the world that Bob Arum made an amazing choice by signing me. I’m just going up from here.”
Running Order
U.S: Live on ESPN+ 7pm ET / 4pm PT
UK:Sky Sports Action 2am BST
Main Event:
Rafael Espinoza vs. Sergio Chirino
12×3 WBO Featherweight World Title
Chief Support:
Andres Cortes vs. Abraham Nova
10×3 NABO Junior Lightweight Title
Undercard:
Troy Isley vs. Javier Martinez
10×3 NABO Middleweight Title
Floyd Diaz vs. Francisco Pedroza
8×3 Bantamweight
DJ Zamora vs. Jose Antonio Meza
8×3 Junior Lightweight
Steven Navarro vs. Juan Pablo Meza
6×3 Junior Bantamweight
Albert Gonzalez vs. Conrado Martinez
6×3 Featherweight
Bryan Polaco vs. Richard Acevedo
6×3 Middleweight