Emanuel Navarrete was supposed to have fought countryman and former champion Oscar Valdez in what would’ve been a compelling matchup Friday at Desert Diamond Arena outside Phoenix on ESPN and ESPN+.
Instead, after Valdez pulled out because of an injury, Navarrete, a 126-pound beltholder, will face obscure Australian Liam Wilson for a vacant 130-pound title.
A victory would give Navarrete a major title in a third division – two simultaneously – in a span of seven fights.
“That would be something very satisfying for Team Navarrete,” he said through a translator Thursday at the final news conference before the fight. “… That’s something that’s not easy to get. For me, personally, I will have felt I have done well in my career.”
Navarrete (36-1, 30 KOs) will have to make a decision after the fight, win or lose. Does he stay at 130 pounds or move back down to 126?
He was asked whether he was leaning in either direction but shifted the focus to Wilson.
“First of all we’re looking at making sure we score the victory Firday,” he said. “I also know that Wilson comes with a strong desire to win. That’s what we’re focused on 100%. Then, after that, we’ll make a decision.”
Wilson (11-1, 7 KOs) hit the jackpot just getting this fight given his limited accomplishments.
He has fought only 12 times as a professional. And he was knocked out only three fights ago, a fifth-round stoppage against Filipino Joe Noynay that he avenged by second-round KO in his next fight.
He’s coming off the biggest victory over his career, a unanimous decision over capable Martias Rueda last June. Wilson ended up ranked No. 3 by the WBO after that fight.
Still, the more-proven Navarrete is around a 10-1 favorite to win Wilson’s first fight outside his native country.
“I did that (Rueda) fight with one hand,” he said. “I broke my hand midway through the fight. I showed my resilience. I proved to myself, my country, the world that I have what it takes to become a world champion.
“… I plan to give him the fight of his life. I’m going to win.”
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