Espinoza-Figueroa WBO/WBA Featherweight Unification Buzz

One of the hottest matchups to which boxing fans can look forward, after this weekend’s Japanese mega-fight between superstars Naoka Inoue and Junto Nakatani could be a featherweight unification fight between WBO champ Rafael Espinoza and newly minted WBA champ Brandon Figueroa.

This is a mouth watering matchup for several reasons:

Both champions are tall for the division. While Figueroa is considered tall for the weight at 5’9″, Espinoza stands an incredible 6’1″, unheard of at 126 lbs.

Figueroa is known for his infighting and high volume work rate, while Espinoza also flouts conventional wisdom for tall fighters by also choosing to fight on the inside.

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this potential matchup is that both fighters share the same trainer in Manny Robles. Robles has deferred to the promoters in terms of this potential matchup being made. He has the option of choosing to work with one fighter over the other or stepping away completely until the fight is over.

Such scenarios have occurred in the past for high profile fights with various outcomes:

Pernell Whitaker vs James “Buddy” McGirt- Both fighters were trained by Lou Duva and George Benton where both trainers opted to stay with Whitaker, while McGirt hired Pat Lynch.

Oscar De La Hoya vs Shane Mosley- Robert Alcazar was De La Hoya’s long-time trainer, but Mosley, who was trained by his father Jack, spent a great amount of time in the same circles as Oscar and is cited as the gold standard for friends/gym mates splitting for the sake of a mega-fight.

Manny Pacquiao vs Amir Khan- Both fighters were trained by Freddie Roach. The fight never happened, but at the time, Roach stated he would sit the match out rather than “Choose between my two sons.”

Let’s hope the fight gets made and fans get the treat they deserve!

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