Emanuel Navarrete is said to have battled compatriot and former champion Oscar Valdez in a thrilling match Friday at the Desert Diamond Arena outside Phoenix on ESPN and ESPN+.
Instead, after Valdez retires through injury, Navarrete, the 126-pound belt holder, will face little-known Australian Liam Wilson for the vacant 130-pound belt.
A win would give Navarrete a major third division title – two concurrent titles – over a period of seven battles.
“It will be something very gratifying for Team Navarrete,” he said through a translator Thursday at his final pre-match press conference. “…That is something that is not easy to obtain. For me personally, I will feel I have done well in my career.”
Navarrete (36-1, 30 KOs) will have to make a decision after the match, win or lose. Does he stay the same at 130 pounds or drop to 126?
He was asked if he was leaning in either direction but shifting his focus to Wilson.
“First of all, we’re looking at making sure we score on Friday,” he said. “I also know that Wilson came with a strong desire to win. That’s what we focus on 100%. Then, after that, we will make a decision.”
Wilson (11-1, 7 KOs) hit the jackpot on this win due to his limited record.
He only fought 12 times as a professional. And he had been knocked out just three games before, a fifth-round stoppage-time match against Filipino Joe Noynay for which he got his revenge with a second-round KO in the next game.
He’s about to have the biggest win of his career, a unanimous decision against Martias Rueda likely last June. Wilson was eventually ranked 3rd by the WBO after that match.
However, Navarrete proved more than the favorite with 10-1 to win Wilson’s first game outside his hometown.
“I did it (Rueda) fighting with one hand,” he said. “I broke my arm in the middle of the game. I showed my resilience. I have proven to myself, my country, the world that I have what it takes to be a world champion.
“… I intend to give him the battle of his life. I will win.”
