Rafael Espinoza vs. Edward Vazquez: Live round-by-round updates

The Rafael Espinoza vs. Edward Vazquez round-by-round updates are here. They provide real-time coverage and live scoring of the upcoming featherweight title fight. The matchup is a massive opportunity for Vazquez, who is gearing up for a world championship bout.

He enters the boxing match with a 17-2 record, and on a two-fight win streak. Unfortunately for him, he faces one of the most difficult challenges of his career, at least on paper. Espinoza is an undefeated fighter with a 26-0 run and a high percentage of knockouts.

Moreover, he is the reigning WBO featherweight champion, and determined to continue his reign undisturbed. The oddsmakers at DraftKings Sportsbook do not favor Vazquez to score an upset, listing him as a +650 underdog, while Espinoza is a -1100 favorite.

The main card, which opens with the Espinoza vs. Vazquez matchup, starts at 10:00 PM E.T. (Eastern Time) / 7:00 PM P.T. (Pacific Time) on May 4.

Follow Sportskeeda for play-by-play analysis and live scoring of the upcoming featherweight title fight.

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Rafael Espinoza vs. Edward Vazquez

Round 1: The fight begins withpressure from Espinoza, who is peppering Vazquez with jabs. Vazquez tries to lunge in with a combination, but Espinoza snipes him with more jabs. There's a massive size difference between the two. Hard uppercut lands for Espinoza, while Vazquez tries to close the distance.

More uppercuts from Espinoza as Vazquez lands to the body. Vazquez lands upstairs with two decent hooks. A one-two lands for Espinoza, followed by a series of uppercuts. Jabs for Espinoza, who is threatening Vazquez with an uppercut to counter his level changes.

A late flurry from Vazquez.

Our Score: 10-9 Espinoza

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Round 2: Body jabs for Vazquez to start off the secound round. He backs Espinoza to the rounds, leaping in with a left hook. Uppercut to the body lands for Espinoza, followed by hooks to the midsection. Vazquez is refusing to give up the front foot, smothering Espinoza.

Left hands and uppercuts land for Espinoza. Another uppercut from Espinoza. Vazquez eating pitter--patter combinations as he tries to get within range. Both men trade jabs. Right hhands from Espinoza landing to the body. However, Vazquez tags him with a left hook.

Counter-right hand lands from Espinoza.

Our Score: 10-9 Espinoza, 20-18 Espinoza overall

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Round 3: Pressure from Vazquez, but he's countered by jabs from the much taller and longer Espinoza. Vazquez dips low for a body shot, but Espinoza intercepts him with an uppercut. They're trading, and both men are landing. Vazquez tags Espinoza with a good combination.

This is Vazquez's best round so far. More combinations from Vazquez, while Espinoza barely misses with the uppercut. A good body shot from Espinoza hurts Vazquez, who hunches over. Another body shot from Espinoza, but Vazquez is still in the fight. Espinoza with more uppercuts.

Vazquez is starting to walk into Espinoza's shots now. A slick combination from Espinoza ends the round.

Our Score: 10-9 Espinoza, 30-27 Espinoza overall

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Round 4: Vazquez lunges into range, but Espinoza lands an uppercut to the body. Undeterred, Vazquez closes the distance and lands a decent combination. Left hook to the body from Vazquez. Espinoza returns to the uppercut that's been giving him success in this fight.

Body shots from Espinoza, who is using lateral movement and pivoting to frustrate Vazquez. The referee pauses the action to warn both men of head clashes. The fight resumes and Vazquez blasts Espinoza's body. Espinoza batters him to the body in return, stringing together a good combination.

More body shots from Espinoza. VAZQUEZ IS HURT! He does not like these body shots but is refusing to go down. This is all heart from Vazquez as Espinoza swarms him.

Our Score: 10-9 Espinoza, 40-36 Espinoza overall

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Round 5: Vazquez doesn't look like he's surviving much more of this. Espinoza sniping him with jabs and left hooks to the body. Vazquez is still coming forward, though, landing punches of his own. Espinoza is walking Vazquez down, landing jabs and body shots.

Uppercuts from Espinoza, while Vazquez lands in return. Espinoza blasts him with a check hook. More body shots from Espinoza, who has Vazquez against the ropes. A body shot from Espinoza goes low, drawing a referee warning. The fight resumes and Espinoza hurts Vazquez to the body with a combination.

Vazquez clinches but the referee breaks them up. Espinoza lands about six straight uppercuts that busts Vazquez's nose. Vazquez's corner should stop this fight, he has nothing.

Our Score: 10-9 Espinoza, 50-45 Espinoza overall

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Round 6: Body shots from Espinoza to start off the round. Vazquez leaps into range, but Espinoza snipes him with a jab. Zero respect from Espinoza for Vazquez's power. He's just walking him down and landing. Vazquez is fighting back, though. He just doesn't have the power to trouble Espinoza at all.

Combinations from Espinoza, who builds into a flurry. Uppercut for Espinoza, jab for Vazquez. Double jabs for Espinoza, who lands an uppercut as a follow-up. Vazquez with a two-punch combination, but he's getting overwhelmed by Espinoza's volume and power.

Our Score: 10-9 Espinoza, 60-54 Espinoza overall

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Round 7: Espinoza on the front foot, flicking out his jab. Espinoza with a left hook to the body, followed by a one-two. An overhand left from Vazquez lands partially. Vazquez with a two-punch combination. Uppercuts from Espinoza back Vazquez up to the ropes.

A combination to the body forces Vazquez to clinch. They break and Espinoza blasts him to the body again. A big combination from Espinoza lands Vazquez against the ropes and the referee has seen enough and waves it off.

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Official Result

Rafael Espinoza def. Edward Vazquez via TKO in round 7 (1:47)