Tickets go on sale today for the August 12 junior lightweight title showdown between WBO world champion Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete (37-1, 31 KOs) and former two-division world champion Oscar Valdez (31-1, 23 KOs) at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
U.S. Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. (5-0, 5 KOs) will open the televised tripleheader in a six-round heavyweight tilt against Willie Jake Jr. (11-3-2, 3 KOs) This bout was initially scheduled for March, but Torrez tore his oblique in training.
Navarrete-Valdez, a to-be-announced co-feature, and Torrez-Jake will be broadcast live on ESPN.
The ESPN+-streamed undercard includes:
- Junior welterweight Lindolfo Delgado (17-0, 13 KOs), a 2016 Mexican Olympian, puts his unbeaten record on the line against compatriot Jair Valtierra (16-2, 8 KOs) in a 10-rounder.
- Undefeated lightweight prospect Emiliano “El General” Vargas (5-0, 4 KOs) will face an opponent to be named in a four-rounder.
- Super middleweights Sergio Rodriguez (7-0-1, 6 KOs) and Eduardo Ayala (9-3-1, 3 KOs), two Phoenix crowd favorites, will meet in a six-round super middleweight dual for intra-city bragging rights.
- Middleweight Javier “Milwaukee Made” Martinez (8-0-1, 2 KOs), who trains out of the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy, will fight Isaiah Wise (11-2-2, 6 KOs) in an eight-round clash.
- Rising junior welterweight prospect Ricardo Ruvalcaba (9-0-1, 8 KOs) will make his fourth appearance of 2023 in a scheduled six-rounder.
- Heavyweight knockout artist Antonio “El Gigante” Mireles (7-0, 6 KOs) returns in a six-rounder against Dajuan Calloway (7-2, 7 KOs).
Navarette’s technique is horrendous.
This should be a great fight for as long as it lasts, but I think Valdez takes it. I didn’t like how Navarrete looked in his last fight, literally. He looked out of shape against Wilson, like he was looking past him and it almost cost him. I do think that the further he goes up in weight that his technical issues are more likely to catch up with him and I think Valdez wins by late stoppage.
Navarrete will win this fight by KO in 8 rounds or less. All out Mexican WAR!!! Viva México Perrroosss
Good for Oscar Valdez he’s been treated so much better than Big Baby Miller after getting caught with PEDs.
Great for him to have the connections to continue to get these big opportunities, and the Boxing fans continued unending support. We know everyone isn’t entitled, so good for him.
NJ Boxing well said. With all that said, let’s go Valdez!! He is a true warrior who has been fighting too competition from all over the world. Just look at his resume? It’s impressive. Keep doing your thing Valdez we will continue to support you!!! NJ have a awesome week brother. Blessings.
Great great fight
Navarrete by late stoppage
Someone will definitely get knocked out.
Just reminded me of Dogboe . Fighters from African descent tend to be loud and obnoxious, talk a lot of crap. Morrel, Casamayor, Floyd, Broner, J Vargas…. I shouldn’t say boxers, in general people from african descent are loud and obnoxious.
This is gona be another classic Mexican fight 2 roosters fighting toe to toe
I expect a bloody fight
This is a match I wanna watch. I can’t imagine that there won’t be some exciting exchanges and a likely dramatic conclusion. I’m rooting for Valdez.
Every fight Richard Torrez Jr. fights I think, ok is this the fight he will lose, but then he makes it through. Great heart, but that can only take him so far, reminds me of Alen Babić, but better skilled. Maybe he should try Bridgerweight and fight fighters more his size/weight.
Henry, agreed! I will guess this is not the fight though. Could you imagine a Babic vs Torrez fight? I’d favor Torrez, but damn it would be fun.
This is a FOTY Candidate! I think it’s a 60/40 type fight in Valdez’s favor. His boxing skills are more precise and after moving up in weight Navarrette doesn’t seem able to run someone over. Oscar is a smaller Lightweight though, so you can’t count Navarrette out. Unlike, so many fights on paper, this one seems to be a can’t miss thriller and it’s on Basic Cable with decent fights underneath!!