Coming op Saturday evening in Glendale, AZ, WBO junior light-weight champ Emanuel Navarrete will defend towards presumably his most embellished opponent in former two division world champ, Oscar Valdez. The 2 Mexican combatants will headline the Prime Rank Boxing/ESPN card from the Diamond Desert Enviornment and the champ made it clear at Thursday’s last presser that there will probably be punches, numerous them, launched Saturday evening.
From the Prime Rank launch:
“Everyone knows that this battle is elevating loads of expectations. It will be completely fraudulent if Valdez and I didn’t give 100% on this battle. Everyone knows that everybody expects a conflict within the ring. We have now all that it takes to make for an ideal battle,” Navarrete stated.
“I’ve stated that the battle with Valdez was essential for my profession due to every part it represents. The rivalry between Mexicans is one thing important. It’s a very good factor for the battle. However boxing followers have additionally put loads of stress on me, saying that my profession was lacking that cherry on prime. They stated that I wanted a formidable and iconic battle the place I exert far more of myself. The battle with Valdez is that type of battle.”
It’s Navarette’s first protection of the vacant junior light-weight belt he received in February in a wild battle Australia’s Liam Wilson that noticed him knocked down for the primary time in his profession earlier than rallying to cease the sport challenger on a TKO. Navarrete 37-1, 31 KOs, has additionally been on a roll with successful 11 consecutive championship fights in three totally different divisions going again to December of 2018.
Hear Dan Rafael preview Navarrete-Valdez with me off the “Huge Struggle Weekend Preview Podcast” by clicking play under,
As for Valdez, 31-1, 23 KOs, he beforehand held the WBC 130 lb. title briefly with a booming KO of Miguel Berchelt in February 2021. Nevertheless, he misplaced in a one sided unification battle with Shakur Stevenson in April of final 12 months. Now, he’s able to attempt to regain world title standing Saturday evening, telling the media,
“This battle means the world to me. The loss to Shakur Stevenson sparked one thing totally different in me. It woke one thing up. It made me understand how a lot I missed boxing and the way a lot I like the game. The 12 months away from boxing made me miss it a lot. I additionally miss being a world champion. So, it additionally means the world to me to have one other alternative to grow to be a world champion once more.”