Mexican knockout sensation Rafael “Divine” Espinoza will defend the WBO featherweight world title Arnold Khegai on Saturday, November 15, at Arena Potosí in San Luis Potosí, Mexico.
The Guadalajara native will risk his crown on Mexican soil for the first time, while Khegai receives a long-awaited shot at a world title almost three years after he first broke into the WBO top 15.
The card will feature a trio of Top Rank-promoted Mexican-American stars.
US Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. returns in a 10-round heavyweight bout against the Czech veteran Tomasz Salekwhile also growing in the junior welterweight division Emiliano Fernando Vargas competing in his first scheduled 10-round match against Jonathan Montreal.
17-year-old junior lightweight genius Juliana “El Natural” Montalvo (4-0, 3 KO), from Las Vegas, is aiming for his third triumph this year in a six-round fight.
“Rafael Espinoza is an exceptional talent, a 6-foot-1 featherweight with devastating knockout power in both hands. He has dominant power, but I expect Arnold Khegai to be a formidable test,” top president Bob Arum said. “San Luis Potosí is a great fight city and I’m excited that Mexican fans will have the opportunity to see some future world champions in action on the card.”
Espinoza (27-0, 23 KO) won the WBO featherweight world title in December 2023 by majority vote over two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez. In ESPN’s “Upset of the Year,” Espinoza rose from the canvas in the fifth set, then returned the favor in the climactic 12th stanza to clinch the decision. He has since made three defenses, stopping Sergio Chirino in four rounds in June 2024, stopping Ramirez in six in a rematch in December and stopping Edward Vazquez in May in Las Vegas.
Espinoza said: “I’m elated and I’m looking forward to returning to the ring because it will be in my country, with my people. I want to showcase the novel tools in my arsenal. I know Arnold Khegai is forceful, but this motivates me to continue to show that I’m ready for great things. I’m looking forward to the support from the Mexican fans.”
Khegai (23-2-1, 14 KO), of Korean descent, took up martial arts as a teenager to support his family. Two-time world champion in Thai boxing and amateur champion of Ukraine. He turned professional in 2015, and in 2018 he made his debut in the United States, defeating Adam “Mantequill” Lopez by decision. Khegai is 7-1 since moving up to featherweight, with his only blemish being a split decision over division mainstay Joet Gonzalez in March. Khegai, ranked No. 9 in the WBO rankings, returned to winning ways with an eight-round decision over Liborio Solis in September.
“When my team mentioned Rafael Espinoza as an opponent, I told them to do everything in their power to make this fight happen,” Khegai said. “I’ve been on a long journey in boxing and this is the opportunity of a lifetime. I’m coming to Mexico to ruin his return home.”
Jaron Ennis is the bookmakers’ main favorite to defeat Xander Zayas in their highly anticipated world title clash on Saturday in Brooklyn.
Ennis challenges Zayas for the WBO and WBA super welterweight belts at the Barclays Center live on DAZN pay-per-view.
The undefeated resident of Philadelphia enters the game as the favorite on February 11 Bet365 give the 23-year-old his first professional defeat and become world champion in two weight categories.
“Boots” has stopped 31 of his 35 opponents, including Uisma Lima in his 154-pound debut in October, and is expected to stop the Puerto Rican on 20/21.
The 28-year-old last covered this distance in 2024, and a decision victory is valued at 13/2.
Zayas and Ennis face to face before the clash. Photo: Matchroom Boxing
Even though Zayas has taken over as unified champion, he is an underdog Bet365 at 15/04.
Man from San Juan defeated Abass Baraou by split decision will add the WBA belt to his WBO crown in January and his best chance of victory is rated at 13/2 by decision, while success in the shock break is rated at 14/1.
Jaron Ennis knocked out Uisma Lima in the first round in Philadelphia. Photo: Emma Brawley/Matchroom Boxing
Full Bet365 odds
The result of the fight
Xander Zayas will win the fight: 15/4
Xander Zayas by KO/TKO/DQ: 14/1
Xander Zayas by decision or technical decision: 13/2
Jaron Ennis will win the fight: 11/02
Jaron Ennis by KO/TKO/DQ: 20/21
Jaron Ennis by decision or technical: 8/5
Draw or technical draw: 14/1
Round bets
Xander Zayas
Win in round 1: 100/1
Win in round 2: 100/1
Win in round 3: 100/1
Win in round 4: 100/1
Win in round 5: 100/1
To win in round 6: 100/1
To win in round 7: 80/1
To win in round 8: 80/1
To win round 9: 66/1
To win in round 10: 66/1
To win round 11: 66/1
To win in round 12: 80/1
To win by decision or technical decision: 6/1
Zayas won by points decision over Abass Baraou. Source: Mikey Williams / top position
Jaron Ennis
To win round 1: 80/1
Win in round 2: 50/1
Win in round 3: 40/1
To win in round 4: 28/1
To win in round 5: 20/1
To win in round 6: 16/1
Win in round 7: 12/12
To win in round 8: 1/11
To win in round 9: 10/1
To win in round 10: 10/1
To win in round 11: 10/1
To win in round 12: 1/11
Win by Decision or Technical Decision: 7/4
The post Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis – Odds and Betting Guide appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
On Wednesday, Lewis Crocker heads to Australia to defend his IBF welterweight world title against Liam Paro for the first time.
Crocker will face Paro at the Pat Rafter Arena in Queensland, live on DAZN in the UK and Kayo Sports in Australia.
Crocker (22-0, 11 KO) became world champion in September, defeating Paddy Donovan twice before winning the rematch by split decision.
Man from Belfast recorded his second victory over Donovan after the first victory in March last year, and his rival was disqualified for hitting him after the bell.
Paro (27-1, 16 KO) is trying to become a world champion in two weight categories, having previously reigned in the super-lightweight division.
In September, Donovan was beaten a second time by Crocker. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
The 30-year-old won the title with a unanimous decision victory over Subriel Matias in Puerto Rico before winning the belt in his first defense against Richardson Hitchins.
The Australian has since won twice, overtaking David Papot in his last appearance in September.
Paro looks like a two-time IBF champion. Photo: Melina Pizano/Matchroom
McKean meets Taliva
Heavyweight Demsey McKean will look to continue his rebuild when he faces Liam Talivaa for the vacant IBF Pan Pacific title.
McKean (24-2, 16 KO) had his career cut miniature after a last-round loss to Filip Hrgovic, followed by a brutal first-round loss to Moses Itauma.
The 35-year-old southpaw returned to winning ways with back-to-back stoppage victories.
Talivaa (8-2, 4 KO) last won the IBF Oceania-Orient title, defeating Faiga Opelu by first-round stoppage.
Undercard remaining
At cruiserweight, Luke Modini (13-0, 11 KO) will likely need distance to beat Peng Qu (17-2-1, 12 KO), while Riley Candy (8-1, 5 KO) could stop Nathan Watson (11-3, 3 KO) at super middleweight.
Vegas Larfield (13-1, 9 KO) can hand Shamal Ram Anuj (11-8, 8 KO) his fourth defeat in a row in a featherweight clash.
Heavyweight Nelson Asofa-Solomon (2-0, 2 KO) can secure a third straight knockout over debutant George Burgess, and Stevan Ivic (8-0-1, 2 KO) can do the same against Caleb Tialu (3-7, 3 KO), also a heavyweight.
Prospective super welterweight fighter Jack Javed (1-0) should overtake Lance McDonald (1-5-1, 1 KO).
The post Lewis Crocker vs. Liam Paro – Gigantic Fight Preview and Predictions appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.