Top Rank has officially announced their previously revealed November 15th show in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, headlined by Rafael “Divino” Espinoza’s WBO title defense against Arnold Khegai.
The press release
is heavy on quotes but entirely bereft of broadcast details. Top Rank remains in the market for a partner after parting ways with ESPN earlier this year, leaving many of its fighters to stay busy with other promotions. Bob Arum claimed to be “negotiating a streaming deal” in July but, well, that was July and we haven’t heard squat since.
Espinoza said, “I’m happy and anxious to get back into the ring because it will be in my country, with my people. I want to display new tools from my arsenal. I know Arnold Khegai is strong, but that’s motivating me to keep demonstrating that I am ready for big things. I can’t wait for the support from the Mexican fans.”
“When my team mentioned Rafael Espinoza as an opponent, I told them to do whatever it takes to make the fight,” Khegai said. “I’ve had a long journey in boxing, and this is the opportunity of a lifetime. I am coming to Mexico to ruin his homecoming.”
As expected, the co-feature sees Lindolfo Delgado (23-0, 16 KO) fight Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela (31-4-1, 17 KO) in an IBF super lightweight eliminator. Gollaz is the sanctioning body’s second-highest-ranked fighter at 140 despite not competing since a walloping at the hands of Subriel Matias earlier this year because they’re untethered to reality.
Heavyweight prospect Richard Torrez Jr (13-0, 11 KO) ends a career-long layoff against Tomas Salek (23-7, 14 KO), BoxRec’s no. 402 in the division and proud owner of an 81-second knockout loss to Nathan Gorman. Torrez’s can-crushing is so egregious that it inspired me to write an article about it, completely forget I wrote it because the last few years have not been kind to my brain, then write it again a few months later. I’d hoped that his April decision over Guido Vianello marked the end of that arc, but he’s zipping right back down the ladder.
Super lightweight Emiliano Vargas (15-0, 13 KO) also makes his fourth appearance of the year against Jonathan Montrel (19-3, 13 KO), a Louisiana journeyman whose only fight of note saw him swept by “Tiger” Johnson in 2023. “El General” hasn’t seen the third round since September of last year.
