Rafael “Falito” Acosta became the new European lightweight champion by defeating Frank Urquiaga via unanimous decision in Dos Hermanas, Seville. The Andalusian fighter delivered the biggest performance of his career in front of a packed local crowd, confirming his status as one of Spain’s most promising boxers at 135 pounds.
At the Municipal Pavilion Los Montecillos in Dos Hermanas, Rafael “Falito” Acosta captured the EBU European lightweight title by outpointing Barcelona’s Frank “La Ley” Urquiaga. The judges returned wide scorecards in favour of the local fighter, with tallies of 118-110, 118-110 and 117-109, underlining his clear superiority in the eyes of the officials.
Background and stakes of the fight
The bout carried special significance: a fully Spanish clash for a vacant European title, pitting youth against experience. At 23, Acosta came in as former EBU Silver lightweight champion and mandatory challenger, while the 38-year-old Urquiaga arrived with a deep résumé at continental level, including previous European and EU title fights.
For Dos Hermanas and Andalusian boxing, the event was historic, with the city hosting a full European championship in the lightweight division for the first time. With strong local promotion and a fanbase eager to see one of their own at the top, the atmosphere set the stage perfectly for a breakthrough night that would soon dominate Spanish boxing news and analysis.
How the fight played out
From the opening rounds, Acosta imposed a higher pace, taking centre ring and working behind combinations that mixed head and body shots. Urquiaga relied on his experience, trying to slow the tempo, pick his counters carefully and avoid getting dragged into constant exchanges.
As the bout moved into the middle rounds, Acosta increasingly found his rhythm, timing and confidence. Although Urquiaga showed heart and toughness, raising the intensity and trading when necessary, the younger fighter’s sharper work rate, cleaner punches and stronger finishes to the rounds helped him build an advantage that became obvious both live and in many expert predictions afterward.
Scorecards and reaction
The official scores of 118-110, 118-110 and 117-109 confirmed a dominant win for Acosta. Some observers felt the fight was more competitive than the numbers suggested, but there was broad agreement that Falito was the rightful winner thanks to his initiative, volume and ability to control the key moments over 12 rounds.
On social media and in post-fight reports, Acosta’s performance was praised as a coming-of-age display, while Urquiaga was widely respected for his resilience and willingness to face a rising contender on hostile territory. Highlights from the bout quickly circulated across platforms and boxing-focused Youtube Channel content, cementing the fight as one of the standout domestic events of the year.
Acosta’s rise and future path
This European crown marks the latest step in a steady progression for Rafael Acosta. Earlier in 2025, he captured the EBU Silver lightweight title by defeating fellow Spaniard Carlos “Ratón” Pérez before successfully defending it by stoppage against Giuseppe Carafa, results that positioned him as the official challenger for the full European belt.
Now boasting a record of 16-1 with 6 knockouts, Acosta is seen as a technically sound fighter with good adaptability and the engine to handle championship distance. His new status opens doors to future European defences, higher-level continental clashes and, in the medium term, potential eliminators that could move him closer to the world scene, where his name will increasingly feature in media discussions and betting predictions.
Urquiaga’s role and legacy
Frank Urquiaga entered the ring as a seasoned campaigner with solid European credentials. A former EBU Silver and EU champion, he had previously challenged for the full European title, often traveling abroad to face difficult opponents and earning a reputation as a durable, competitive professional.
Although he fell short on the scorecards in Dos Hermanas, Urquiaga’s performance confirmed his toughness and professionalism. His presence as the experienced half of this youth-versus-veteran matchup gives added weight to Acosta’s achievement and ensures that his own name remains respected in discussions about Spanish and European lightweight boxing.
Impact on Spanish boxing
Acosta’s triumph adds another European belt to an already strong period for Spanish boxing, with multiple national fighters claiming continental honours in recent months. Hosting a European lightweight championship between two Spanish boxers on home soil reinforces Spain’s profile as a country capable of staging high-level events and developing talent capable of winning them.
For Dos Hermanas, the success of this show underscores the city’s potential as a recurring venue for major cards. Taken together, the event strengthens the domestic boxing scene at sporting and promotional levels, boosting visibility across traditional media, digital outlets and international news coverage focused on the European circuit.
