Tag: Emanuel Navarrete

Emanuel Navarrete goes for title in second division Friday

Emanuel Navarrete and Ruben Villa will fight for a vacant featherweight title Friday in Las Vegas.

Emanuel Navarrete conquered the 122-pound division. Now he’s poised to win a title at 126, although Ruben Villa might have something to say about that.

Navarrete and Villa are scheduled to meet for a vacant featherweight title in the main event Friday evening inside the MGM Grand “bubble” in Las Vegas. The card will be streamed on ESPN+.

Navarrete (31-1, 27 KOs) is coming off a sixth-round stoppage of tough, but overmatched Uriel Lopez on June 20 at the MGM, his first fight as a full-fledged featherweight. He said he’s comfortable at 126, particularly after getting one fight at that weight under his belt.

“My body is doing a lot better,” the Mexico City fighter said at the final news conference on Wednesday. “I’m growing a little bit more. I was getting a little bit difficult making 122. Now, going up to 136, I think I’m more prepared.

“… We’re ready for this weight, we’re ready for this fight.”

Emanuel Navarrete (left) and Ruben Villa will fight for a vacant 126-pound title Saturday. Mikey Williams / Top Rank

Villa (18-0, 5 KOs) obviously is in the biggest fight of his life. The 23-year-old has put together a string of clear victories but will be taking part in only his fourth scheduled 10-round fight. That includes his last fight, a wide decision over Alexei Collado on Jan. 31.

Navarrete is a significant step up in opposition, but Villa is confident.

“My last couple of fights, they’ve been aggressive guys who come to beat me and think they’re going to get me off my game plan but I adapted well,” he said. “We always had good game plans and stuck to game plans, and now we’re here fighting for a world title. I feel like I’m ready. I feel like he’s beatable, and my style is the one to do it.

“He’s an aggressive guy who throws 100 punches a round. I feel like it’s just going to bring the best out of me to do my job as well as I can.”

Villa has found motivation is the current state of affairs – the coronavirus pandemic, the fires near his home in Salinas, Calif., seeing workers toiling in the fields through it all. And he would be the first world champion from Salinas, which also inspires him.

“I just can’t wait to show you guys what I got,” he said. “I want to see the best Ruben Villa. I haven’t even seen him yet. … I’m just excited to perform and, like I said, show you guys what I got.

“I feel like I’ve been slept on. Maybe a lot of people think I don’t belong here, but I’m going to show everyone I’m an elite 126 fighter. Yeah, I’m coming to win and coming to fight.”

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Fight Week: Emanuel Navarrete vs. Ruben Villa for vacant 126-pound title

Emanuel Navarrete faces Ruben Villa for a vacant 126-pound title on Friday.

FIGHT WEEK

A look at the coming week in boxing in capsules.

FIGHT WEEK

A look at the coming week in boxing in capsules.

***

CHARLES CONWELL (12-0, 9 KOs)
VS. WENDY TOUSSAINT (12-0, 5 KOs)

Charles Conwell (pictured) hopes to beat Wendy Toussaint on Wednesday and then fight once more before the end of the year.  Photo courtesy of Showtime

When: Wednesday, Oct. 7
Where: Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Conn.
TV: Showtime (ShoBox)
Division: Junior middleweight
At stake: Nothing
Odds: NA
Also on the card: Isaiah Steen vs. Kalvin Henderson, super middleweights; Janelson Figueroa Bocachica vs. Nicklaus Flaz, welterweights; Brandun Lee vs. Jimmy Williams, welterweights
Prediction: Conwell UD
Background: Conwell, a junior middleweight contender from Cleveland, is coming off a fourth-round knockout of Ramses Agaton on Feb. 8. That was four months after his tragic meeting with Patrick Day, who died from a brain injury four days after Conwell stopped him. The 2016 U.S. Olympian, a talented boxer-puncher, had hoped to take a major step in his career this year but the coronavirus changed his timetable. He plans to fight again before the end of the year and then target the top 154-pounders next year. Toussaint is arguably Conwell toughest test. The Haitian-American isn’t a big puncher but he can box. A lack of experience could be a problem for Toussaint. He and Conwell have the same number of pro fights but Conwell had a much more extensive amateur career. And Toussaint will be fighting in his first scheduled 10-rounder when he faces Conwell.

***

EMANUEL NAVARRETE (32-1, 28 KOs)
VS. RUBEN VILLA (18-0, 5 KOs)

Emanuel Navarette will be fighting for a title in second division when he faces Ruben Villa on Friday. Mikey Williams / Top Rank

When: Friday, Oct. 9
Where: MGM Grand, Las Vegas
TV: ESPN+
Division: Featherweight
At stake: Vacant WBO title
Odds: NA
Also on the card: Joseph Adorno vs. Avery Sparrow, lightweights
Prediction: Navarrete KO 6
Background: Navarrete, a volume puncher with significant power, will be fighting for a title in a second weight class. The Mexican, ranked No. 1 by the WB0, last fought on June 20, when he stopped tough, but overmatched Uriel Lopez in six rounds in his first featherweight fight. He made his breakthrough with back-to-back victories over Issac Dogoe in 2018 and last year. The first was a unanimous-decision victory that gave him is 122-pound title. He won second by 12th-round KO. Navarrete has won 27 consecutive fights since his only setback, a four-round decision to Daniel Argueta in his sixth fight. Villa, ranked No. 2, is a solid opponent. The Salinas, Calif., resident has a strong amateur background and has looked good as a pro. He is stepping up in opposition for this fight, which will be a challenge. However, he might have a size advantage. He has been a 126-pounder his entire career. He is coming off a one-sided decision over Alexei Collado on Jan. 31, which earned him his ranking.

***

LIAM WILLIAMS (22-2-1, 17 KOs)
VS. ANDREW ROBINSON (24-4-1, 7 KOs)

When: Saturday, Oct. 10
Where: BT Sports Studios, London
TV: ESPN+ (BT Sport in U.K.)
Division: Middleweight
At stake: Williams’ British title
Odds: Williams 30-1
Also on the card: James Metcalf vs. Jack Flatley, super welterweights (for Commonwealth title); Nathan Gorman vs. Richard Lartey, heavyweights; Willy Hutchinson vs. Jose Miguel Fandino, super middleweight
Prediction: Williams KO 9
Background: Williams has been on a roll since losing back-to-back fights to Liam Smith, winning each of his subsequent six fights by knockout. He’s coming off a fifth-round TKO over Alantez Fox in December, which was his biggest post-Liam Smith test. The Welshman is ranked by two of the major sanctioning bodies, No. 2 by the WBO and No. 3 by the WBC, meaning a world title shot is within reach if he continues to win. Robinson is facing by far the biggest challenge of his career, one reason he’s a big underdog. He’s a solid boxer but has minimal punching power. He’s coming off a second-round TKO over Eric Nwankwo in September of last year, his third consecutive victory since he was stopped in six rounds by Mark Heffron in 2018. A victory by the Englishman would be a major upset.

Fight Week: Emanuel Navarrete vs. Ruben Villa for vacant 126-pound title

Emanuel Navarrete faces Ruben Villa for a vacant 126-pound title on Friday.

FIGHT WEEK

A look at the coming week in boxing in capsules.

FIGHT WEEK

A look at the coming week in boxing in capsules.

***

CHARLES CONWELL (12-0, 9 KOs)
VS. WENDY TOUSSAINT (12-0, 5 KOs)

Charles Conwell (pictured) hopes to beat Wendy Toussaint on Wednesday and then fight once more before the end of the year.  Photo courtesy of Showtime

When: Wednesday, Oct. 7
Where: Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Conn.
TV: Showtime (ShoBox)
Division: Junior middleweight
At stake: Nothing
Odds: NA
Also on the card: Isaiah Steen vs. Kalvin Henderson, super middleweights; Janelson Figueroa Bocachica vs. Nicklaus Flaz, welterweights; Brandun Lee vs. Jimmy Williams, welterweights
Prediction: Conwell UD
Background: Conwell, a junior middleweight contender from Cleveland, is coming off a fourth-round knockout of Ramses Agaton on Feb. 8. That was four months after his tragic meeting with Patrick Day, who died from a brain injury four days after Conwell stopped him. The 2016 U.S. Olympian, a talented boxer-puncher, had hoped to take a major step in his career this year but the coronavirus changed his timetable. He plans to fight again before the end of the year and then target the top 154-pounders next year. Toussaint is arguably Conwell toughest test. The Haitian-American isn’t a big puncher but he can box. A lack of experience could be a problem for Toussaint. He and Conwell have the same number of pro fights but Conwell had a much more extensive amateur career. And Toussaint will be fighting in his first scheduled 10-rounder when he faces Conwell.

***

EMANUEL NAVARRETE (32-1, 28 KOs)
VS. RUBEN VILLA (18-0, 5 KOs)

Emanuel Navarette will be fighting for a title in second division when he faces Ruben Villa on Friday. Mikey Williams / Top Rank

When: Friday, Oct. 9
Where: MGM Grand, Las Vegas
TV: ESPN+
Division: Featherweight
At stake: Vacant WBO title
Odds: NA
Also on the card: Joseph Adorno vs. Avery Sparrow, lightweights
Prediction: Navarrete KO 6
Background: Navarrete, a volume puncher with significant power, will be fighting for a title in a second weight class. The Mexican, ranked No. 1 by the WB0, last fought on June 20, when he stopped tough, but overmatched Uriel Lopez in six rounds in his first featherweight fight. He made his breakthrough with back-to-back victories over Issac Dogoe in 2018 and last year. The first was a unanimous-decision victory that gave him is 122-pound title. He won second by 12th-round KO. Navarrete has won 27 consecutive fights since his only setback, a four-round decision to Daniel Argueta in his sixth fight. Villa, ranked No. 2, is a solid opponent. The Salinas, Calif., resident has a strong amateur background and has looked good as a pro. He is stepping up in opposition for this fight, which will be a challenge. However, he might have a size advantage. He has been a 126-pounder his entire career. He is coming off a one-sided decision over Alexei Collado on Jan. 31, which earned him his ranking.

***

LIAM WILLIAMS (22-2-1, 17 KOs)
VS. ANDREW ROBINSON (24-4-1, 7 KOs)

When: Saturday, Oct. 10
Where: BT Sports Studios, London
TV: ESPN+ (BT Sport in U.K.)
Division: Middleweight
At stake: Williams’ British title
Odds: Williams 30-1
Also on the card: James Metcalf vs. Jack Flatley, super welterweights (for Commonwealth title); Nathan Gorman vs. Richard Lartey, heavyweights; Willy Hutchinson vs. Jose Miguel Fandino, super middleweight
Prediction: Williams KO 9
Background: Williams has been on a roll since losing back-to-back fights to Liam Smith, winning each of his subsequent six fights by knockout. He’s coming off a fifth-round TKO over Alantez Fox in December, which was his biggest post-Liam Smith test. The Welshman is ranked by two of the major sanctioning bodies, No. 2 by the WBO and No. 3 by the WBC, meaning a world title shot is within reach if he continues to win. Robinson is facing by far the biggest challenge of his career, one reason he’s a big underdog. He’s a solid boxer but has minimal punching power. He’s coming off a second-round TKO over Eric Nwankwo in September of last year, his third consecutive victory since he was stopped in six rounds by Mark Heffron in 2018. A victory by the Englishman would be a major upset.

Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. Teofimo Lopez officially set for Oct. 17

Vasiliy Lomachenko and Teofimo Lopez have thrown jabs at one another on social media the past few years. Now they’ll do it in the ring.

Vasiliy Lomachenko and Teofimo Lopez have thrown nasty jabs at one another on social media the past few years. Now, finally, they’ll do it in the ring.

Lomachenko, Boxing Junkie’s No. 1 fighter pound for pound, will face Lopez in a lightweight title-unification bout on Oct, 17 inside the MGM Grand “bubble” in Las Vegas on ESPN, Top Rank formally announced on Tuesday.

Four belts will be on the line.

“Teofimo Lopez can talk all he wants,” Lomachenko said. “He’s very good at talking. He has done nothing but say my name for the past two years. I am a fighter, and my goal is to win another world title.

“Good for Teofimo. When we fight in Las Vegas, he will eat my punches and his words. I will be the better man, and four world titles will come home with me to Ukraine.”

Lopez is just as confident as Lomachenko.

“I will beat up Lomachenko and take his belts,” the Honduran-American said. “Simple as that. I’m coming to Las Vegas to make history. I don’t like the guy, and I’m going to have fun as Lomachenko’s face is beaten and marked up by my hands.

“The takeover is here, and the reign of Lomachenko, the little diva, is coming to an end.”

Lomachenko (14-1, 10 KOs) is coming off a decision over Luke Campbell in August of last year. He was declared the WBC’s “franchise” champion shortly after that fight.

Lopez (15-0, 12 KOs) scored a sensational second-round knockout of Richard Commey to win a 135-pound title in December and establish himself as a legitimate threat to anyone in the division.

Top Rank also announced four other important fights that will take place in October.

On Oct. 3, Jose Zepeda (32-2, 25 KOs) faces Ivan Baranchyk (20-1, 13 KOs) in a 10-round junior welterweight bout at the MGM Grand on ESPN+.

They were scheduled to meet on July but the fight was postponed because Baranchyk suffered an injury. Zepeda ended up outpointing Kendo Castaneda on that date. Zepeda is a two-time title challenger. Baranchyk held a 140-pound belt but lost it to Josh Taylor in May of last year.

On Oct. 9, Emanuel Navarrete (32-1, 28 KOs) faces Ruben Villa (18-0, 5 KOs) for a vacant featherweight world title on ESPN. Navarrete, who fought in six world title bouts in just over 14 months in 2019 and early this year, gave up his 122-pound belt and have moved up in weight. He stopped Uriel Lopez in six rounds on June 20.

On Oct. 23, Russian light heavyweight titleholder Artur Beterbiev (15-0, 15 KOs) will defend his belts against Adam Deines (19-1-1, 10 KOs) in Moscow on ESPN. Beterbiev is coming off his impressive title-unification knockout of Oleksandr Gvozdyk last October. Deines has won two in a row since a decision loss to Meng Fanlong.

And on Oct. 31, pound-for-pounder Naoya Inoue (19-0, 16 KOs) will defend his bantamweight belts against Jason Moloney (21-1, 18 KOs) at the MGM Grand on ESPN+.

The three-division beltholder from Japan will be fighting in Las Vegas for the first time and making his fourth title defense. He’s coming off a hard-fought unanimous-decision victory over Nonito Donaire in November. Moloney, from Australia, stopped Leonardo Baez on June 25 in the “bubble.”

Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. Teofimo Lopez officially set for Oct. 17

Vasiliy Lomachenko and Teofimo Lopez have thrown jabs at one another on social media the past few years. Now they’ll do it in the ring.

Vasiliy Lomachenko and Teofimo Lopez have thrown nasty jabs at one another on social media the past few years. Now, finally, they’ll do it in the ring.

Lomachenko, Boxing Junkie’s No. 1 fighter pound for pound, will face Lopez in a lightweight title-unification bout on Oct, 17 inside the MGM Grand “bubble” in Las Vegas on ESPN, Top Rank formally announced on Tuesday.

Four belts will be on the line.

“Teofimo Lopez can talk all he wants,” Lomachenko said. “He’s very good at talking. He has done nothing but say my name for the past two years. I am a fighter, and my goal is to win another world title.

“Good for Teofimo. When we fight in Las Vegas, he will eat my punches and his words. I will be the better man, and four world titles will come home with me to Ukraine.”

Lopez is just as confident as Lomachenko.

“I will beat up Lomachenko and take his belts,” the Honduran-American said. “Simple as that. I’m coming to Las Vegas to make history. I don’t like the guy, and I’m going to have fun as Lomachenko’s face is beaten and marked up by my hands.

“The takeover is here, and the reign of Lomachenko, the little diva, is coming to an end.”

Lomachenko (14-1, 10 KOs) is coming off a decision over Luke Campbell in August of last year. He was declared the WBC’s “franchise” champion shortly after that fight.

Lopez (15-0, 12 KOs) scored a sensational second-round knockout of Richard Commey to win a 135-pound title in December and establish himself as a legitimate threat to anyone in the division.

Top Rank also announced four other important fights that will take place in October.

On Oct. 3, Jose Zepeda (32-2, 25 KOs) faces Ivan Baranchyk (20-1, 13 KOs) in a 10-round junior welterweight bout at the MGM Grand on ESPN+.

They were scheduled to meet on July but the fight was postponed because Baranchyk suffered an injury. Zepeda ended up outpointing Kendo Castaneda on that date. Zepeda is a two-time title challenger. Baranchyk held a 140-pound belt but lost it to Josh Taylor in May of last year.

On Oct. 9, Emanuel Navarrete (32-1, 28 KOs) faces Ruben Villa (18-0, 5 KOs) for a vacant featherweight world title on ESPN. Navarrete, who fought in six world title bouts in just over 14 months in 2019 and early this year, gave up his 122-pound belt and have moved up in weight. He stopped Uriel Lopez in six rounds on June 20.

On Oct. 23, Russian light heavyweight titleholder Artur Beterbiev (15-0, 15 KOs) will defend his belts against Adam Deines (19-1-1, 10 KOs) in Moscow on ESPN. Beterbiev is coming off his impressive title-unification knockout of Oleksandr Gvozdyk last October. Deines has won two in a row since a decision loss to Meng Fanlong.

And on Oct. 31, pound-for-pounder Naoya Inoue (19-0, 16 KOs) will defend his bantamweight belts against Jason Moloney (21-1, 18 KOs) at the MGM Grand on ESPN+.

The three-division beltholder from Japan will be fighting in Las Vegas for the first time and making his fourth title defense. He’s coming off a hard-fought unanimous-decision victory over Nonito Donaire in November. Moloney, from Australia, stopped Leonardo Baez on June 25 in the “bubble.”

Emanuel Navarrete to fight Ruben Villa for vacant 126-pound title

Emanuel Navarrete and Ruben Villa have agreed to fight for the vacant WBO featherweight title on Oct. 9, according to ESPN.

Emanuel Navarrete and Ruben Villa have agreed to fight for the vacant WBO featherweight title on Oct. 9, according to ESPN.

No. 1-ranked Navarrete (32-1, 28KOs) was expected to fight No. 2 Jessie Magdaleno for the belt but Magdaleno, reportedly not satisfied with the amount of money offered to him, pulled out of talks.

Villa (18-0, 5 KOs) was next in line at No. 3 in the WBO rankings. The Salinas, Calif., fighter is coming off a unanimous-decision victory over Alexei Collado on Jan. 31. Villa will be fighting for a major title for the first time.

Navarrete stopped Uriel Lopez in six rounds on June 20, Navarrete’s first fight as a full-fledged 126-pounder. The Mexican is a former 122-pound titleholder.

Shakur Stevenson vacated the WBO 126-pound title in early July and moved up to 130.

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Emanuel Navarrete to fight Ruben Villa for vacant 126-pound title

Emanuel Navarrete and Ruben Villa have agreed to fight for the vacant WBO featherweight title on Oct. 9, according to ESPN.

Emanuel Navarrete and Ruben Villa have agreed to fight for the vacant WBO featherweight title on Oct. 9, according to ESPN.

No. 1-ranked Navarrete (32-1, 28KOs) was expected to fight No. 2 Jessie Magdaleno for the belt but Magdaleno, reportedly not satisfied with the amount of money offered to him, pulled out of talks.

Villa (18-0, 5 KOs) was next in line at No. 3 in the WBO rankings. The Salinas, Calif., fighter is coming off a unanimous-decision victory over Alexei Collado on Jan. 31. Villa will be fighting for a major title for the first time.

Navarrete stopped Uriel Lopez in six rounds on June 20, Navarrete’s first fight as a full-fledged 126-pounder. The Mexican is a former 122-pound titleholder.

Shakur Stevenson vacated the WBO 126-pound title in early July and moved up to 130.

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Emanuel Navarrete vs. Jessie Magdaleno targeted for October

Emanuel Navarrete and Jessie Magdaleno could fight for the vacant WBO featherweight title in October.

Emanuel Navarrete and Jessie Magdaleno could fight for the vacant WBO featherweight title in October.

Top Rank, which handles both fighters, won a purse bid to stage the fight and the sides have agreed to terms. The promotional company is targeting either Oct. 17 or 24 in the MGM Grand bubble in Las Vegas. It would be available on an ESPN platform.

The 126-pound title became vacant when Shakur Stevenson gave it up recently to move up to 130.

Navarrete (31-1, 27 KOs) won the WBO 122-pound title when he outpointed previously unbeaten Isaac Dogboe in December 2018 and then stopped Dogboe in the rematch five months later. He made five successful defenses before moving up to 126.

The Mexican stopped Uriel Lopez in his featherweight debut on June 20 at the MGM Grand.

Magdaleno (28-1, 18 KOs) also is a former junior featherweight titleholder. He lost his belt to Dogboe by 11th-round stoppage in April 2018.

The native of Las Vegas is coming off a disqualification victory over Yenifel Vicente on June 11 in the MGM Grand bubble.

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Emanuel Navarrete vs. Jessie Magdaleno targeted for October

Emanuel Navarrete and Jessie Magdaleno could fight for the vacant WBO featherweight title in October.

Emanuel Navarrete and Jessie Magdaleno could fight for the vacant WBO featherweight title in October.

Top Rank, which handles both fighters, won a purse bid to stage the fight and the sides have agreed to terms. The promotional company is targeting either Oct. 17 or 24 in the MGM Grand bubble in Las Vegas. It would be available on an ESPN platform.

The 126-pound title became vacant when Shakur Stevenson gave it up recently to move up to 130.

Navarrete (31-1, 27 KOs) won the WBO 122-pound title when he outpointed previously unbeaten Isaac Dogboe in December 2018 and then stopped Dogboe in the rematch five months later. He made five successful defenses before moving up to 126.

The Mexican stopped Uriel Lopez in his featherweight debut on June 20 at the MGM Grand.

Magdaleno (28-1, 18 KOs) also is a former junior featherweight titleholder. He lost his belt to Dogboe by 11th-round stoppage in April 2018.

The native of Las Vegas is coming off a disqualification victory over Yenifel Vicente on June 11 in the MGM Grand bubble.

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Emanuel Navarrete, Jessie Magdaleno could fight for 126-pound title

The WBO is planning to order a fight between Emanuel Navarrete and Jessie Magdaleno for its vacant featherweight title.

Emanuel Navarrete and Jessie Magdaleno could be on a collision course.

The WBO is planning to order a fight between No. 1-ranked Navarrete and No. 2 Magdaleno for its vacant featherweight title, BoxingScene.com is reporting.

WBO president Francisco Valcarcel said No. 3 Ruben Villa would step in if either Navarrete or Magdaleno can’t or won’t take part in the title fight. Travel restrictions can be a complicating factor during the coronavirus pandemic.

Valcarcel seems to be assuming that the title fight would take place in the U.S. Navarrete is in Mexico.

“We will touch base with Top Rank since both Navarrete and Magdaleno are promoted by them. We’ll then order the fight,” Valcarcel told BoxingScene.com.

He went on: “I know Ruben Villa is available. I already talked to Banner Promotions head Artie Pelullo. We will for sure announce it by the end of the week. Top Rank is busy right now with the shows in the bubble in Las Vegas. I don’t want to disturb them right now.”

Magdaleno’s manager, Frank Espinoza, told BoxingScene.com that his client wants the Navarrete fight.

“That’s a fight we want,” he said. “It will be a great battle. It will be interesting to see if the fight happens in the bubble or not, but I would like the fight to take place no later than September and October.

“It’s not going to be an easy fight, but we’re really motivated. My guy can prevail.”

Shakur Stevenson recently vacated the WBO 126-pound title and moved up to 130. Navarrete did the same recently, giving up his 122-pound belt. Magdaleno lost his junior featherweight title to Issac Dogboe in April 2018.

Navarette (31-1, 27 KOs) and Magdaleno  (28-1, 18 KOs) have both fought during the pandemic. Navarette stopped Uriel Lopez in six rounds in Mexico on June 20, and Magdaleno defeated Yenifel Vicente by disqualification on June 11 in the MGM Grand bubble in Las Vegas.

Villa (18-0, 5 KOs) is coming off a unanimous-decision victory over Alexei Collado on Jan. 31.