MEXICO CITY (April 9, 2025) — WBO featherweight world champion Rafael Espinoza and Mexican-American junior welterweight phenom Emiliano Fernando Vargas joined forces for a special press conference Tuesday afternoon in Mexico City.
Espinoza (26-0, 22 KOs) will defend his crown against former world title challenger Edward Vazquez as the co-feature to the Naoya Inoue-Ramon Cardenas undisputed junior featherweight world title showdown on Sunday, May 4, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Vargas (13-0, 11 KOs), the son of former world champion Fernando Vargas, will see action on the bill in an eight-rounder against an opponent to be named.
A capable singer, Espinoza regaled the crowd with his rendition of “El Rey” while backed by a mariachi band. He then visited the famed Romanza Gym, where Hall of Fame trainer Nacho Beristáin has nurtured world champions such as Juan Manuel Marquez and Jhonny Gonzalez for over three decades. Espinoza aims to make the third defense of his title on Cince De Mayo weekend, five months removed from a sixth-round TKO over Robeisy Ramirez in their rematch.
Vargas made his 2025 debut on March 29 with a blistering second-round stoppage over Giovannie Gonzalez. Fully recovered from a hand injury that sidelined him for several months, Vargas makes a rapid return on a Las Vegas super card.
This is what Espinoza and Vargas had to say at Tuesday’s press conference.
Rafael Espinoza
“We know that Vazquez is an opponent who is very prepared. We know that it’s going to make for a great fight. He’s a warrior who’s not going to give up because he wants everything that I have. So, you are going to see the best version of ‘El Divino.'”
“The Vazquez fight is my priority, but I want the {Inoue} fight because it’s going to make me a pound-for-pound fighter, and that’s my goal. It’s a very strong goal.”
“I haven’t shown what I’m capable of. I’m a world champion, but I want to show that I’m the best.”
Emiliano Fernando Vargas
“This is something really special to me, being here in Mexico City, which is where my blood is from. I’m proud to be Mexican and American and happy to be here.”
“I want to keep winning. I want to keep growing. The only thing I’m focused on is my May 4 bout, and we have about four fights planned for this year. But I gotta get through May 4 first and keep winning. I’m going to shine like the star that God made me. He made me in his image and a little in the image of my dad. I’m happy to be back May 4.”
Inoue-Cardenas and Espinoza-Vazquez will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Vargas’ bout and the rest of the undercard will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Ohashi Promotion, Teiken Promotions, and Sampson Boxing, tickets are on sale now via AXS.com.
