It’s official. Reigning WBO featherweight world champion Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete (36-1, 30 KOs) and WBO #3 contender Liam Wilson (11-1, 7 KOs) will fight for the vacant WBO junior lightweight world title on February 3 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
Emanuel Navarrete: “This is my opportunity to become a three-division world champion. I am going for that crown. Liam Wilson is a good fighter, but this is my moment, and everyone will see a much more complete ‘Vaquero’ Navarrete that has a lot of thirst for victory. My ideal weight is 130 pounds, and that will be demonstrated on February 3rd when I become world champion for Mexico and San Juan Zitlaltepec. Wilson will not get in the way of my dream.”
Liam Wilson: “He’s a champion, a warrior, and a household name around the world, but now it’s my time. I’m coming to upset the parade. I’ve waited my entire life for this moment, and I won’t let it slip because it means more to me. I swore an oath to my father on his deathbed that I would one day win a world title for him. I’m looking forward to fulfilling this promise on February 3rd.”
In other action, unbeaten junior welterweight Arnold Barboza Jr. (27-0, 10 KOs) hopes to earn a career-best victory against Jose “Sniper” Pedraza (29-4-1, 14 KOs), a former two-weight world champion, in the ten round co-feature.
U.S. Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. (4-0, 4 KOs) returns vs. TBA in a six-round heavyweight special feature.
Unbeaten junior lightweight Andres “Savage” Cortes (18-0, 10 KOs) takes on knockout puncher Luis Melendez (17-2, 13 KOs) in a crossroads tilt scheduled for 10 rounds.
Middleweight prospect Nico Ali Walsh (7-0, 5 KOs), grandson of “The Greatest,” looks to make it 8-0 against Eduardo Ayala (9-2-1, 3 KOs) in a six-rounder.
Lightweight Emiliano Fernando Vargas (2-0, 2 KOs), son of former junior middleweight world champion Fernando Vargas, returns in a four-rounder against an opponent to be named.
Junior lightweight Xavier Martinez (18-1, 12 KOs) seeks his second straight ‘W’ in a 10-rounder against an opponent to be named.
Junior welterweight Lindolfo Delgado (16-0, 13 KOs), a 2016 Mexican Olympian, steps up against Clarence Booth (21-6, 13 KOs) in an eight-rounder.
May the best man win on the day, may there also be fair judges and referee !!!
Mr. Navaratte has shown himself to be a good boxer. But why is he being allowwed, having not I believe fought at 130, getting a vacant title shot? What has he done to earn this? If he were to fight two of the other present champions in thie division, especially the one from Dominican Republic, I might have more respect for him in this mater. His three titiles that I am sure he will achieve, is kind of hollow in this instants. He is just grabbing a alphabet soup title, nothing more.
Nicolas, you are spot on the mark, my man! Navarette is always looking for the path of least resistance. I have zero interest in him or his career at this point.
In Navarrete’s defense, Wilson is a sub. He had originally signed to fight Oscar Valdez for the vacant title, but Oscar got hurt again.
I believe the WBO has a rule where a champion at a weight class who moves to another weight class is given mandatory challenger status at the weight.
Nicolas, which of your favorite fighters got their azz kicked by Naverette for you to be so hateful and ignorant to facts?
Navarette is a champ at a lower weight class and he was going after a tough Oscar Valdez but Oscar had to pull out so a sub is coming in. Navarette has fought some of the toughest fighters at the lower weight classes and he was going after Oscar Valdez at this higher 130 after never fighting at 130 before.
Now a better argument is that another fighter may have been fighting and trying at 130 to earn a right to fight for the title but I don’t know what other fighter has the “NAME and REP” the championship organization would supplant Navarette with at this point either.
Navarette vs Valdez was due to be a great battle for the fans for sure and for a title also.
Thank you Lucie.!
Wilson in 2! Come on Aussie!!!
“Middleweight prospect Nico Ali Walsh” prospect is a strong word.
Tough ask but hopefully he can somehow fulfill the oath to his dad, might be a bit early though
naverette? a guy at that weight that reach…a good 4 inches taller than the opponent thats why paul williams would have beat floyd ..thats why crawford cant handel a tall quick guy witha good jab, and woo at that weight class is going to meet navarette. fact not opinion..antonio demarko??? haow did he ever lose?
navaratte wins this one could be a competitive fight