By: Sean Crose
WBO featherweight champion Emanuel Navarrete, 35-1, defended his title Saturday night against Eduardo Baez, 21-2-2, in a scheduled 12th round match at San Diego’s Pechanga Arena . Navarrete was patient and flexible in the beginning while Baez mostly played the aggressor. Both men traded heavy leather goods for an enjoyable second. Baez was clearly in a winning position and did not appear to be a mere opponent. Things that are still high octane in the third.
Navarrete played quite aggressively in the fourth half, but Baez is showing that he defended smoothly. Round 5 proved that Baez was an unbelievable, confident and worthy opponent over the more highly rated Navarrete. In fact, Naravrette herself looks a little lethargic. However, a body shot sent Baez down to the top of the sixth table. The Baez game simply can’t get past the count.
