Mexico’s Rafael Espinoza is to defend his WBO featherweight title against Edward Vazquez on the undercard of Naoya Inoue-Ramon Cardenas at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on May 4.
The fight between Inoue, the undisputed bantamweight champion, and Mexico’s Cardenas is attempting to be the focal point of a Cinco de Mayo weekend that atypically will involve Saul “Canelo” Alvarez instead fighting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and against William Scull.
Espinoza, 30, and Vazquez will complement the Mexican theme of the main event in Vegas. Espinoza, like Alvarez, is from Guadalajara.
“I’m thrilled to return to the ring, especially in the city where I always dreamed of fighting, Las Vegas,” he said. “Fighting at T-Mobile Arena is also a dream come true, which adds even more excitement for me. Edward Vazquez is a tough fighter who wants to take what’s mine.
“But I’m prepared to show him that I’m here to stay as a champion. I cannot wait for May 4 to reaffirm that once again.”
The 29-year-old Vazquez previously lost to Wales’ Joe Cordina, via majority decision, when challenging for the IBF junior-lightweight title in 2023, and he said: “May 4 can’t get here soon enough. I started boxing at eight years old and have been a pro for over nine years. Nothing has ever been handed to me. I earned this opportunity. Espinoza is a fantastic fighter and a deserving champion, but he has never stepped into the ring with someone like ‘Kid’ Vazquez.”
Bob Arum’s Top Rank will oversee Inoue-Caldenas and, therefore, Espinoza-Vazquez, and the hall-of-fame promoter said: “Rafael Espinoza is a towering featherweight with the power and skills to be a world champion for years to come, and we’re excited to showcase him on such a meaningful weekend for Mexican boxing.
“Edward Vazquez is a tough, determined challenger who knows this is his shot to change everything. Fans at T-Mobile Arena are in for a treat as Espinoza shares the spotlight with the incomparable Naoya Inoue on this historic Cinco de Mayo card.”