Emanuel Navarrete took his career to the next level with a superb display in front of Mexican legends Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales.
He wanted an all-Mexican war to take his career to new heights, and that’s precisely what he got.
Navarrete defended his WBO junior lightweight world title via unanimous decision in a back-and-forth slugfest against Oscar Valdez.
The event happened Saturday evening in front of 10,246 fans at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
Emanuel Navarrete defeats Oscar Valdez
Navarrete’s reach and punch output were challenging puzzles for Valdez to solve. The 32-year-old native of Nogales, Mexico, tried to find openings for counterpunches from his high guard stance, using his head and feet to avoid Navarrete’s sudden bursts of combos.
But as the rounds progressed, Navarrete’s power made a difference as his left uppercuts and hooks caused swelling below Valdez’s right eye. In the fifth and sixth rounds, Valdez connected with counter left hooks.
In the tenth, a war broke out in the center of the ring, with both fighters exchanging to win the final rounds.
Navarrete, however, kept control of the fight in the championship rounds and retained his title with scores of 116-112, 118-110, and 119-109.
Navarrete said, “I feel happy to have been part of this card and this next great chapter of Mexican boxing history. I am happy and appreciate Oscar for the great fight that we delivered.
“There was some inflammation in my right hand. And the more I used it, the more it hurt. But I had to overcome it.
“I think the people can best talk about what they saw. They saw the fight tonight. I was here fighting with Valdez. And I feel good. Thank God, I won. I appreciate what he did in the ring. He is a Mexican warrior. If the people want a rematch, they will demand it.”
Valdez
Valdez said: “He is a warrior. I tried my best. We gave it our best. He is a warrior. He is a true champion. I’m sorry I disappointed everyone.
“I feel terrible. I wanted to give you all a great fight. But I hope you enjoyed the fight. I hope to return strong.”
The victory propels Navarrete to 38-1, with 31 KOs, and into the history books as a great Mexican fighter of this era.
Despite the loss, Valdez can undoubtedly come again, having already been a world champion himself.
