Emanuel Navarrete (38-1, 31 KOs) got precisely what he yearned for – an intense all-Mexican brawl.
Securing his WBO junior lightweight world title, Navarrete won a unanimous decision over Oscar Valdez (31-2, 23 KOs) amidst an electric atmosphere at Glendale’s Desert Diamond Arena. The audience, a whopping 10,246 strong, witnessed an intense exchange of punches throughout the fight
Valdez, the spirited 32-year-old from Nogales, struggled with Navarrete’s reach and fierce blows. Employing a high guard stance and agility, Valdez tried weaving through Navarrete’s rain of combos. Navarrete’s sheer power, especially his uppercuts, started showing effects as swelling emerged under Valdez’s right eye. The climax of the bout was the 10th round, a spectacle of resilience and determination from both.
Ultimately, Navarrete’s strategic dominance earned him victory scores of 116-112, 118-110, and 119-109.
Reflecting on the bout, Navarrete remarked, “This was a huge moment in Mexican boxing history. I salute Oscar for his grit. My hand hurt, yet the adrenaline pushed me. ” I’m open to a rematch if the fans wish.”
Valdez responded, “Navarrete is a true warrior, a deserving champion. My apologies to my fans, I aimed to make this unforgettable. Hope they relished our performance. I’ll bounce back.”
Undercard Highlights:
- Delgado’s Dominance Continues: Lindolfo Delgado (18-0, 13 KOs), the emerging junior welterweight, outclassed Jair Valtierra (16-3, 8 KOs), securing a 10-round unanimous decision. Delgado showcased his proficiency by landing timely body shots and maintaining his unbeaten record.
- Torrez Jr. Packs a Punch: Richard Torrez Jr. (6-0, 6 KOs), the U.S. Olympic silver medalist, made quick work of Willie Jake Jr. (11-4-2, 3 KOs) in a thrilling opener. Torrez’s timely counterattack led to Jake’s downfall. Post-match, Torrez conveyed his zeal to improve further.
- Vargas Overcomes Alvarado: Emiliano Fernando Vargas (6-0, 5 KOs) displayed skill and strategy, eventually defeating Jorge Luis Marquez Alvarado (3-6-1, 2 KOs) with a second-round TKO.
- Heavyweight Showdown: Antonio Mireles (8-0, 7 KOs) staged a comeback to clinch a sixth-round stoppage against Dajuan Calloway (7-3, 7 KOs).
- Local Phoenix Duel: Sergio Rodriguez (8-0-1, 7 KOs) triumphed over Eduardo Ayala (9-4-1, 3 KOs) with a stunning second-round knockout.
- Ruvalcaba Stands Tall: Ricardo Ruvalcaba (10-0-1, 9 KOs) showcased his prowess against Adrian Orban (6-4, 4 KOs), ending the bout with a second-round TKO.
