Rafael Espinoza TKO11 Arnold Khegai. ... Rafael Espinoza bruised, bloodied, and battered Arnold Khegai. It was mostly one-way traffic, as the Mexican star defended his WBO featherweight title with an eleventh-round TKO on Saturday at Arena Potosi in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Khegai's corner mercifully ended the fight following the tenth round, with the official time of the stoppage coming at 10 seconds of round eleven. Espinoza (28-0, 24 KOs), who at 6-foot-1 is the tallest featherweight champion ever, became the first man to stop Khegai (23-3-1, 14 KOs), a ten-year pro who previously contended at junior featherweight. Khegai hung in tough, dipping low and having occasional success with overhand rights. Espinoza, however, was not deterred.

 

In the seventh, an accidental headbutt opened a cut around Khegai's left eye, which was also already showing signs of swelling. The swelling only got worse as Espinoza continued pouring in uppercuts at a distance.   Nearly two years after winning the title with an upset over Robeisy Ramirez, Espinoza has tallied four title defenses, all by knockout.

 

Espinoza said, "I’m happy because I got the result that I expected, which is a victory. I also wanted to put on a show for the people. I could’ve kept my distance all night, but I wanted to give a show as always. "I know that nobody has ever stopped him before, and I’m the first to do that. He’s a powerful fighter, but tonight I showed that I’m better. I still feel good at this weight. But before I make any decision, I want to see what offers are on the table.”