Espinoza’s team plans to pursue Angelo Leo after Leo’s canceled IBF featherweight title defense
Rafael Espinoza’s team is moving toward a featherweight unification fight with Angelo Leo after Leo’s scheduled defense against Ra’eese Aleem collapsed Friday in Atlanta. Boxing reporter Fernando Sabatini said Espinoza’s camp plans to formally pursue the fight after previous talks nearly produced a deal.
“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.
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.
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.