Rafael Espinoza vs Ricardo Blandon Preview October 31st, 2026
Unbeaten WBO Featherweight Champion Rafael Espinoza of Mexico slugs it out with Ricardo ‘Big Bam’ Blandon of Nicaragua this Saturday, October 31st. The 12-rounder from Saudi Arabia can be seen live in most nations on DAZN pay-per-view on the undercard of the Mbilli vs Alvarez event. Espinoza was dropped in the fifth round in his first fight with Robeisy Ramirez in December, 2023 and then decked Ramirez in the final round to win the WBO Title via majority decision. Espinoza stopped Sergio Chirino Sanchez in the fourth round in his first defence; halted Ramirez in the sixth stanza of their rematch; stopped Edward Vazquez in the seventh round and halted Arnold Khegai after 11 rounds in his last outing in November. Blandon was last in the ring in August when he stopped Elias Vega in the second round.
Espinoza vs Blandon Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Ricardo Blandon +910
- Rafael Espinoza -2500
My Pick
Espinoza was originally supposed to defend his belt for the fourth time this weekend against Lorenzo Parra. However Parra failed his medical and Blandon was brought in as a late replacement. Blandon was scheduled to fight this Friday in Nicaragua against Juan Mendoza so agreed to meet Espinoza instead.
The 32-year-old Espinoza enters the ring with a perfect mark of 28-0 with 24 Ko’s and has boxed 115 rounds since turning pro in 2013. He’s got great power in his arsenal of punches as his current knockout ratio stands at an impressive 85.2 per cent. He has stopped 11 of his past 12 opponents and 19 of his last 21. He’s gone the distance just four times in his pro career and has fought 10 rounds just once and 12 rounds just once. Espinoza is listed at 6-feet-1-inch tall by Boxrec with a 74-inch reach.
If that’s true then he’s a bit of a freak of nature for the 126 lb division much like Sebastian Fundora in the junior middleweight division. Espinoza took a huge step up in class against Robeisy Ramirez when he fought for the title in 2023 but took a step down against the relatively unknown Sergio Chirino Sanchez in his first defence. In addition, his defences against Edward Vazquez and Arnold Khegai weren’t exactly elite showdowns either to be honest.
This is another let down for the fans as Blandon is a late replacement and isn’t on the same level as the champion. Other than the wins over Ramirez and his title defences, Espinoza’s biggest victories have been over the likes of Carlos Ornelas, Aramis Solis, Alie Laurel, Gerardo Munoz and Rafael Ramirez. Also, just 14 of his 28 opponents entered the ring with a winning record. However, he proved against Ramirez both times that he is indeed a world-class boxer.
As for Blandon, he’s 34 years old and carries around a record of 21-6 with 14 Ko’s. He has fought 160 rounds since making his pro debut in 2016 following his amateur career. Unfortunately there’s no height and reach information on Blandon but it’s probably safe to say that he gives up quite a bit to Espinoza in each department. He does possesses decent power though as 66.7 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage including his last two and six of his past seven.
Blandon has suffered half a dozen losses though. These came at the hands of Martin Diaz by eight-round split decision in 2017; by 12-round unanimous decision to Aliu Lasisi in a shot at the vacant WBC International Super Flyweight Title in 2019; a nine-round split decision to Keyvin Lara in 2020; a 10-round unanimous nod to Elie Konki in 2021; a sixth-round KO to David Contreras in 2022 and a 10-round unanimous decision to Rene Alvarado in 2024.
Despite losing six times, Blandon has been stopped just once. He won the vacant WBC Latino super Flyweight Title in 2018 by stopping Yader Cardoza after seven rounds. Just 14 of his 27 opponents entered the ring with a winning record and he lost to six of them. There’s no question that Blandon, who is ranked number 15 in the world by the WBO, is stepping up in class this weekend. Unfortunately for him it may simply being a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time after the original opponent Lorenzo Parra was forced out of this fight with Espinoza.
Prediction…
Espinoza has the decided edge in power, experience and I’m assuming reach and height as well. Blandon is reportedly a pretty successful mixed martial artist as well as a boxer and he does have decent power as well as a good chin. Still, Espinoza constantly lets his hands go and unless Blandon’s chin is made of granite he’s likely going to be stopped or overwhelmed in this fight. I just don’t see how he’s going to keep the champion at bay for 12 rounds without paying the price.
Espinoza is too big, experienced and powerful for Blandon.
Play Espinoza -2500 @ BetOnline.ag
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Rafael Espinoza betting • Ricardo Blandon betting