Rafael Espinoza’s team is moving quickly toward a unification fight with IBF featherweight champion Angelo Leo following the collapse of Leo’s scheduled title defense against Ra’eese Aleem.
Boxing reporter Fernando Sabatini said Saturday that Espinoza’s side plans to formally pursue the Leo fight and noted that negotiations between the camps had previously come close to being finalized.
“Since 2003 (22 years ago), we haven’t seen a unification in the 126 lbs division,” Sabatini posted on X. “The ‘Divino’ Espinoza team confirmed to me just a few hours ago that they’re going to request the fight against Angelo Leo, and they reminded me that a while back they were very close to making it happen.”
Espinoza holds the WBO featherweight title and has become one of the division’s most active champions. A fight against Leo would create the first featherweight unification bout in more than two decades.
Aleem Misses Weight
The push for unification accelerated after Leo’s planned defense against Aleem was canceled on Friday in Atlanta.
Aleem came in 2.8 pounds overweight on his first weigh-in attempt and was still above the featherweight limit after being given additional time by the Georgia commission. The fight was officially canceled, leaving Leo without an opponent despite completing training camp.
Leo retained his IBF title without fighting and reportedly still received his full purse under Georgia boxing regulations.
The failed weigh-in was a major setback for Aleem, who had earned mandatory challenger status for the first title shot of his career.
Carrington Waiting
Sabatini also reported that unbeaten contender Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington could pursue a fight against Leo if the Espinoza unification does not materialize.
“Bruce ‘Shu Shu’ Carrington, who I don’t think will face Divino at least for now, might also look for a fight against Angelo Leo,” Sabatini posted.
Carrington has continued climbing the featherweight rankings and has increasingly been linked to title opportunities after his recent victories.
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Last Updated on 2026/05/10 at 6:50 PM
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