Boxing
Rafael Espinoza Stops Ricardo Blandon in Third to Retain WBO Featherweight Title
A cut ended Espinoza’s Riyadh title defense against late replacement Ricardo Blandon in the third round.
Rafael Espinoza retained his WBO featherweight title Saturday, stopping Ricardo Blandon at 1:22 of the third round in Riyadh after a cut above the challenger’s left eye left him unable to continue.
The ringside doctor examined Blandon after Espinoza opened the wound with a right hand. The stoppage preserved the Mexican champion’s unbeaten record at 29–0 with 25 knockouts, while Nicaragua’s Blandon fell to 21–7 with 14 knockouts.
Blandon had entered as a late replacement for Lorenzo Parra, the WBO’s mandatory challenger. The opponent change was announced October 23, eight days before the event, after the local commission declined to authorize Parra’s participation. WBO president Gustavo Olivieri confirmed the regulatory decision to BoxingScene.
The WBO approved Blandon, then its No. 15 contender, as the substitute because of the proximity of the show and his position in the rankings. Approval remained subject to the applicable medical and regulatory requirements. Espinoza had first disclosed the switch during an appearance on Box Azteca.
Espinoza has held the WBO’s 126-pound championship since December 2023, when he defeated Robeisy Ramirez by majority decision. He later beat Ramirez again by stoppage. The WBO’s champion history lists the Guadalajara fighter at 6 feet 1 inch with a 74-inch reach. His successful defenses have also included Arnold Khegai. Khegai challenged him after Espinoza had already beaten Ramirez twice, extending the champion’s run beyond their rivalry.
In Saturday’s bout, Espinoza established his right hand early and targeted the body in the second round before the cut brought the contest to an end. Blandon kept throwing but struggled to get past the champion’s reach, according to BoxingScene’s report.
The substitution allowed the title defense to remain on the Canelo Álvarez–Christian Mbilli undercard at Kingdom Arena. Parra’s withdrawal changed the opponent, while Espinoza’s championship remained at stake in the replacement contest.
