Video: Emanuel Navarrete and Christopher Diaz make weight for their title fight on Saturday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPGaPwycYJc
Featherweight titleholder Emanuel Navarrete and challenger Christopher Diaz on Friday made weight for their fight Saturday in Kissimmee, Fla. (ESPN, ESPN+).
Navarrete came in at the 126-pound limit; Diaz weighed 125.8.
Navarrete (32-1, 27 KOs) is coming off a close decision over previously unbeaten Ruben Villa to win the vacant WBO title last October, making him a two-division champion. Diaz (26-2, 16 KOs) is coming off a unanimous-decision victory over Jason Sanchez last June.
Also on the card, super middleweight prospect Edgar Berlanga, facing Demond Nicholson, will be seeking his 17th first-round knockout in as many fights.
Berlanga and Nicholson (23-3-1, 20 KOs) weighed 168.4 and 168.2, respectively, for their scheduled eight-round fight.
The Navarette-Diaz and Berlanga-Nicholson fights will be televised on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+ beginning at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.
Here are weights for the other fights on the card, which will be streamed only on ESPN+:
Josue Vargas (141.4) vs. Willie Shaw (139.8), junior welterweights
Joseph Adorno (135.2) vs. Jamaine Ortiz (136.2), lightweights
Orlando Gonzalez (127.6) vs. Juan Antonio Lopez (128.4), featherweights
Xander Zayas (146.4) vs. Demarcus Layton (146.2), welterweights
Jeremy Adorno (122) vs. Ramiro Martinez 122), junior featherweights
Jaycob Gomez (129) vs. Mobley Villegas (129.4), junior lightweights
Video: Emanuel Navarrete and Christopher Diaz make weight for their title fight on Saturday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPGaPwycYJc
Featherweight titleholder Emanuel Navarrete and challenger Christopher Diaz on Friday made weight for their fight Saturday in Kissimmee, Fla. (ESPN, ESPN+).
Navarrete came in at the 126-pound limit; Diaz weighed 125.8.
Navarrete (32-1, 27 KOs) is coming off a close decision over previously unbeaten Ruben Villa to win the vacant WBO title last October, making him a two-division champion. Diaz (26-2, 16 KOs) is coming off a unanimous-decision victory over Jason Sanchez last June.
Also on the card, super middleweight prospect Edgar Berlanga, facing Demond Nicholson, will be seeking his 17th first-round knockout in as many fights.
Berlanga and Nicholson (23-3-1, 20 KOs) weighed 168.4 and 168.2, respectively, for their scheduled eight-round fight.
The Navarette-Diaz and Berlanga-Nicholson fights will be televised on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+ beginning at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.
Here are weights for the other fights on the card, which will be streamed only on ESPN+:
Josue Vargas (141.4) vs. Willie Shaw (139.8), junior welterweights
Joseph Adorno (135.2) vs. Jamaine Ortiz (136.2), lightweights
Orlando Gonzalez (127.6) vs. Juan Antonio Lopez (128.4), featherweights
Xander Zayas (146.4) vs. Demarcus Layton (146.2), welterweights
Jeremy Adorno (122) vs. Ramiro Martinez 122), junior featherweights
Jaycob Gomez (129) vs. Mobley Villegas (129.4), junior lightweights
Also on the card: Edgar Berlanga vs. Demond Nicholson, super middleweights; Josue Vargas vs. Willie Shaw, junior welterweights
Prediction: Navarrete UD
Background: Navarrete is coming off a close decision over previously unbeaten Ruben Villa to win his title last October, making him a two-division champion. Villa went down twice, which proved to be the difference in the scoring. The 26-year-old Mexican is a high-volume puncher with power. He had stopped his previous five opponents, not counting an unofficial fight during the coronavirus pandemic in Mexico. Navarrete has said he wants to unify the 126-pound titles. Diaz is a capable boxer-puncher who has fallen short in his biggest fights. The Puerto Rican, also 26, lost a wide decision in a competitive fight against Masayuki Ito for a vacant 130-pound title in 2018. Then, after moving down to 126, he was outclassed by Shakur Stevenson and lost another one-sided decision the following year. He’s coming off a unanimous-decision victory over Jason Sanchez last June. Super middleweight prospect Edgar Berlanga, facing Demond Nicholson, will be seeking his 17th first-round knockout in as many fights on the undercard.
Also on the card: Edgar Berlanga vs. Demond Nicholson, super middleweights; Josue Vargas vs. Willie Shaw, junior welterweights
Prediction: Navarrete UD
Background: Navarrete is coming off a close decision over previously unbeaten Ruben Villa to win his title last October, making him a two-division champion. Villa went down twice, which proved to be the difference in the scoring. The 26-year-old Mexican is a high-volume puncher with power. He had stopped his previous five opponents, not counting an unofficial fight during the coronavirus pandemic in Mexico. Navarrete has said he wants to unify the 126-pound titles. Diaz is a capable boxer-puncher who has fallen short in his biggest fights. The Puerto Rican, also 26, lost a wide decision in a competitive fight against Masayuki Ito for a vacant 130-pound title in 2018. Then, after moving down to 126, he was outclassed by Shakur Stevenson and lost another one-sided decision the following year. He’s coming off a unanimous-decision victory over Jason Sanchez last June. Super middleweight prospect Edgar Berlanga, facing Demond Nicholson, will be seeking his 17th first-round knockout in as many fights on the undercard.
Emanuel Navarrete wants a war against Christopher Diaz on Saturday in Kissimmee, Fla.
Emanuel Navarrete has been working on his technique for his title defense against Christopher Diaz on Saturday in Kissimmee, Fla. And he said during a Zoom call Tuesday that he uses his long reach to keep opponents at bay when that suits him.
Make no mistake, though: The Mexican has been successful – and popular – primarily because of his willingness to exchange punches and his effectiveness when he does.
“That’s the kind of fight I prefer,” he said through a translator. “I prefer to go toe-to-toe and exchange punches. I have the style to make a good fight. It’s going to be a war. That’s what I’m looking for.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Uzlw2j-7v8&t=25s
Navarrete (32-1, 27 KOs) has known almost nothing but success, as he hasn’t lost since the sixth fight of his career. And he became a two-division beltholder October, when he outpointed previously unbeaten Ruben Villa to win the vacant WBO 126-pound title.
Still, he wants to improve. Hence the work during training camp on such things as defense, which isn’t a word one would normally associate with Navarrete.
“For this fight we worked on defense, keeping my hands up, a little bit more technical style because we know if I’m caught with my hands down, a big shot could come in and that could be bad for us,” he said.
One thing that does come to mind when you think of Navarrete is his reach. He’s 5-foot-7 yet has a 72-inch wingspan, which is particularly long for a featherweight. Diaz, who is 5-6, has a 64-inch reach.
That advantage over virtually every opponent has served Navarrete, he said. It allows him to keep opponents away until he wants to engage. And then it’s every man for himself.
“I believe my reach has been very important in my career because I keep all the fighters at a distance where they cannot hurt me,” he said. “But when fighters … get inside my guard, I also like when they do that.
“That’s kind of fight I like. That’s when the real fight starts.”
Navarrete will try to make Diaz (26-2, 16 KOs) fight, which might take some work.
He expects the slick Puerto Rican to move as a way to avoid engaging Navarrete on the champion’s terms. Navarrete will have to cut off the ring to get into his happy zone, which has been extremely unhappy for his opponents.
And during the Zoom call he seemed to try to goad Diaz into a brawl. Navarrete was asked whether he can see this fight living up to the high standards of the celebrated Mexico vs. Puerto Rico rivalry. He responded by saying it’s up to Diaz.
Of course, Navarrete believes that he’ll catch up to Diaz one way or another.
“At one moment of the fight,” he said, “[Diaz] is going to have to stop and trade punches with me.”
Emanuel Navarrete wants a war against Christopher Diaz on Saturday in Kissimmee, Fla.
Emanuel Navarrete has been working on his technique for his title defense against Christopher Diaz on Saturday in Kissimmee, Fla. And he said during a Zoom call Tuesday that he uses his long reach to keep opponents at bay when that suits him.
Make no mistake, though: The Mexican has been successful – and popular – primarily because of his willingness to exchange punches and his effectiveness when he does.
“That’s the kind of fight I prefer,” he said through a translator. “I prefer to go toe-to-toe and exchange punches. I have the style to make a good fight. It’s going to be a war. That’s what I’m looking for.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Uzlw2j-7v8&t=25s
Navarrete (32-1, 27 KOs) has known almost nothing but success, as he hasn’t lost since the sixth fight of his career. And he became a two-division beltholder October, when he outpointed previously unbeaten Ruben Villa to win the vacant WBO 126-pound title.
Still, he wants to improve. Hence the work during training camp on such things as defense, which isn’t a word one would normally associate with Navarrete.
“For this fight we worked on defense, keeping my hands up, a little bit more technical style because we know if I’m caught with my hands down, a big shot could come in and that could be bad for us,” he said.
One thing that does come to mind when you think of Navarrete is his reach. He’s 5-foot-7 yet has a 72-inch wingspan, which is particularly long for a featherweight. Diaz, who is 5-6, has a 64-inch reach.
That advantage over virtually every opponent has served Navarrete, he said. It allows him to keep opponents away until he wants to engage. And then it’s every man for himself.
“I believe my reach has been very important in my career because I keep all the fighters at a distance where they cannot hurt me,” he said. “But when fighters … get inside my guard, I also like when they do that.
“That’s kind of fight I like. That’s when the real fight starts.”
Navarrete will try to make Diaz (26-2, 16 KOs) fight, which might take some work.
He expects the slick Puerto Rican to move as a way to avoid engaging Navarrete on the champion’s terms. Navarrete will have to cut off the ring to get into his happy zone, which has been extremely unhappy for his opponents.
And during the Zoom call he seemed to try to goad Diaz into a brawl. Navarrete was asked whether he can see this fight living up to the high standards of the celebrated Mexico vs. Puerto Rico rivalry. He responded by saying it’s up to Diaz.
Of course, Navarrete believes that he’ll catch up to Diaz one way or another.
“At one moment of the fight,” he said, “[Diaz] is going to have to stop and trade punches with me.”
A compelling tripleheader featuring Juan Francisco Estrada, Roman Gonzalez and Julio Cesar Martinez is on tap Friday night.
FIGHT WEEK
A look at the coming week in capsules
***
JUAN FRANCISCO ESTRADA (40-3, 27 KOs)
VS. CARLOS CUADRAS (39-3-1, 27 KOs)
Juan Francisco Estrada (center) is still on top of his game and adding to his legacy. Dale de la Rey / AFP via Getty Images
When: Friday, Oct. 23 Where: Gimnasio TV Azteca, Mexico City TV: DAZN Division: Junior bantamweight At stake: Estrada’s WBC title Odds: Estrada 2½-1 Also on the card: Roman Gonzalez vs. Israel Gonzalez, junior bantamweights; Julio Cesar Martinez vs. Moises Calleros, flyweights Prediction: Estrada KO 11 Background: Estrada, No. 10 on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list, is one of the most-respected fighters in the world and at the peak of his powers at 30. He has won four consecutive fights since he was outpointed by Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in 2018, including a unanimous-decision victory over Sor Rungvisai in the rematch in April of last year. He can box, he can punch, he can do it all. The Mexican has tangled with the athletic Cuadras before, winning a close unanimous decision that was decided by a 10th-round knockdown in 2017. Cuadras, also Mexican, has won three in a row against so-so opposition since losing back-to-back decisions to Estrada and then McWilliam Arroyo. The plan is for Estrada to meet Roman Gonzalez a second time in a title-unification bout, assuming he beats Cuadras and Gonzalez does the same against Israel Gonzalez on this card. Estrada lost a competitive fight with Gonzalez in 2012, when the Nicaraguan was at his peak.
***
ROMAN GONZALEZ (49-2, 41 KOs)
VS. ISRAEL GONZALEZ (25-3, 11 KOs)
Roman Gonzalez had made his Nicaraguan countrymen proud over the years. Al Bello / Getty Images
When: Friday, Oct. 23 Where: Gimnasio TV Azteca, Mexico City TV: DAZN Division: Junior bantamweight At stake: Gonzalez’s WBA title Odds: NA Also on the card: Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Carlos Cuadras, junior bantamweights; Julio Cesar Martinez vs. Moises Calleros, flyweights Prediction: R. Gonzalez KO 6 Background: Some believed Gonzalez, formerly No. 1 pound for pound, was finished as an elite fighter when he lost back-to-back fights against Srisaket Sor Rungvisai – the second by brutal knockout — in 2017. He knew better. The big-punching Nicaraguan stopped Moises Fuentes, Diomel Diocos and then-unbeaten titleholder Khalid Yafai to reestablish himself as a force in the 115-pound division even though he’s 33. He appears to be set to face Juan Francisco Estrada a second time in a title-unification bout if things go well for both fighters on this card. Israel Gonzalez, from Mexico, is a capable boxer who has come up short in his biggest fights. He was stopped in 10 rounds by Jerwin Ancajas in a 2018 title fight and losing a clear decision to Yafai later that year. He has won his past two fights, including a quality unanimous-decision victory over Sho Ishida this past December in Japan. The Los Cabos fighter is probably in over his head in this fight.
***
JULIO CESAR MARTINEZ (16-1, 12 KOs)
VS. MOISES CALLEROS (33-9-1, 17 KOs)
Julio Cesar Martinez (left) is emerging as an exciting young star. Ed Mulholland / Matchroom Boxing USA
When: Friday, Oct. 23 Where: Gimnasio TV Azteca, Mexico City TV: DAZN Division: Flyweight At stake: Miranda’s WBC title Odds: NA Also on the card: Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Carlos Cuadras, junior bantamweights; Roman Gonzalez vs. Israel Gonazlez, junior bantamweights Prediction: Martinez KO 4 Background: Martinez is both fun to watch and a talented boxer-puncher who is trained by Eddy Reynoso. The Mexico City product lost his pro debut – a four-round against Joaquin Cruz – but has won all 16 of his subsequent fights (not including one no-contest), including a ninth-round knockout of Cristofer Rosales to win the vacant 112-pound title this past December. He’s coming off a wide decision over previously unbeaten Welshman Jay Harris on Feb. 29 in Frisco, Texas. Martinez was scheduled to face Maximino Flores but Flores had to pull out after testing positive for COVID-19. Calleros, 31, was stopped by Ryuya Yamanaka in a fight for a vacant strawweight title in 2018 but hasn’t fought at that level since moving up in weight. He has won five consecutive fights against second-tier opposition. Martinez represents a significant step up, which might not bode well for the challenger.
Sergey Lipinets is coming off a second-round knockout of Jayar Inson in July of last year. Joe Camporeale / USA TODAY Sports
When: Saturday, Oct. 24 Where: Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Conn. TV: Showtime Division: Welterweight At stake: IBF “Interim” title Odds: NA Also on the card: Xavier Martinez vs. Claudio Marrero, junior lightweights; Malik Hawkins vs. Subriel Matias, junior welterweights Prediction: Lipinets UD Background: Lipinets met his match against Mikey Garcia in 2018, losing a wide decision and his 140-pound title in 2018. The Los Angeles-based native of Kazakhstan then moved up to 147 and has won three in a row, over Erick Bone, Lamont Peterson and Jayar Inson to put himself in title contention at his new weight. He’ll be in prime position to challenge for the IBF title, currently held by Errol Spence Jr., if he wins Saturday. Lipinets is a solid boxer but known more for his pressure fighting and durability. He was scheduled to face Kudratillo Abdukakhorov but the Uzbek had to pull out because of visa issues. Clayton is a 2012 Olympian but largely unproven as a professional. The Montreal fighter has built a gaudy record fighting only in Canada against second-level opposition, including an eighth-round stoppage of Diego Ramirez on Jan. 28 in Toronto. He might be biting off more than he can chew in Lipinets. We’ll learn a lot about him on Saturday.
A compelling tripleheader featuring Juan Francisco Estrada, Roman Gonzalez and Julio Cesar Martinez is on tap Friday night.
FIGHT WEEK
A look at the coming week in capsules
***
JUAN FRANCISCO ESTRADA (40-3, 27 KOs)
VS. CARLOS CUADRAS (39-3-1, 27 KOs)
Juan Francisco Estrada (center) is still on top of his game and adding to his legacy. Dale de la Rey / AFP via Getty Images
When: Friday, Oct. 23 Where: Gimnasio TV Azteca, Mexico City TV: DAZN Division: Junior bantamweight At stake: Estrada’s WBC title Odds: Estrada 2½-1 Also on the card: Roman Gonzalez vs. Israel Gonzalez, junior bantamweights; Julio Cesar Martinez vs. Moises Calleros, flyweights Prediction: Estrada KO 11 Background: Estrada, No. 10 on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list, is one of the most-respected fighters in the world and at the peak of his powers at 30. He has won four consecutive fights since he was outpointed by Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in 2018, including a unanimous-decision victory over Sor Rungvisai in the rematch in April of last year. He can box, he can punch, he can do it all. The Mexican has tangled with the athletic Cuadras before, winning a close unanimous decision that was decided by a 10th-round knockdown in 2017. Cuadras, also Mexican, has won three in a row against so-so opposition since losing back-to-back decisions to Estrada and then McWilliam Arroyo. The plan is for Estrada to meet Roman Gonzalez a second time in a title-unification bout, assuming he beats Cuadras and Gonzalez does the same against Israel Gonzalez on this card. Estrada lost a competitive fight with Gonzalez in 2012, when the Nicaraguan was at his peak.
***
ROMAN GONZALEZ (49-2, 41 KOs)
VS. ISRAEL GONZALEZ (25-3, 11 KOs)
Roman Gonzalez had made his Nicaraguan countrymen proud over the years. Al Bello / Getty Images
When: Friday, Oct. 23 Where: Gimnasio TV Azteca, Mexico City TV: DAZN Division: Junior bantamweight At stake: Gonzalez’s WBA title Odds: NA Also on the card: Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Carlos Cuadras, junior bantamweights; Julio Cesar Martinez vs. Moises Calleros, flyweights Prediction: R. Gonzalez KO 6 Background: Some believed Gonzalez, formerly No. 1 pound for pound, was finished as an elite fighter when he lost back-to-back fights against Srisaket Sor Rungvisai – the second by brutal knockout — in 2017. He knew better. The big-punching Nicaraguan stopped Moises Fuentes, Diomel Diocos and then-unbeaten titleholder Khalid Yafai to reestablish himself as a force in the 115-pound division even though he’s 33. He appears to be set to face Juan Francisco Estrada a second time in a title-unification bout if things go well for both fighters on this card. Israel Gonzalez, from Mexico, is a capable boxer who has come up short in his biggest fights. He was stopped in 10 rounds by Jerwin Ancajas in a 2018 title fight and losing a clear decision to Yafai later that year. He has won his past two fights, including a quality unanimous-decision victory over Sho Ishida this past December in Japan. The Los Cabos fighter is probably in over his head in this fight.
***
JULIO CESAR MARTINEZ (16-1, 12 KOs)
VS. MOISES CALLEROS (33-9-1, 17 KOs)
Julio Cesar Martinez (left) is emerging as an exciting young star. Ed Mulholland / Matchroom Boxing USA
When: Friday, Oct. 23 Where: Gimnasio TV Azteca, Mexico City TV: DAZN Division: Flyweight At stake: Miranda’s WBC title Odds: NA Also on the card: Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Carlos Cuadras, junior bantamweights; Roman Gonzalez vs. Israel Gonazlez, junior bantamweights Prediction: Martinez KO 4 Background: Martinez is both fun to watch and a talented boxer-puncher who is trained by Eddy Reynoso. The Mexico City product lost his pro debut – a four-round against Joaquin Cruz – but has won all 16 of his subsequent fights (not including one no-contest), including a ninth-round knockout of Cristofer Rosales to win the vacant 112-pound title this past December. He’s coming off a wide decision over previously unbeaten Welshman Jay Harris on Feb. 29 in Frisco, Texas. Martinez was scheduled to face Maximino Flores but Flores had to pull out after testing positive for COVID-19. Calleros, 31, was stopped by Ryuya Yamanaka in a fight for a vacant strawweight title in 2018 but hasn’t fought at that level since moving up in weight. He has won five consecutive fights against second-tier opposition. Martinez represents a significant step up, which might not bode well for the challenger.
Sergey Lipinets is coming off a second-round knockout of Jayar Inson in July of last year. Joe Camporeale / USA TODAY Sports
When: Saturday, Oct. 24 Where: Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Conn. TV: Showtime Division: Welterweight At stake: IBF “Interim” title Odds: NA Also on the card: Xavier Martinez vs. Claudio Marrero, junior lightweights; Malik Hawkins vs. Subriel Matias, junior welterweights Prediction: Lipinets UD Background: Lipinets met his match against Mikey Garcia in 2018, losing a wide decision and his 140-pound title in 2018. The Los Angeles-based native of Kazakhstan then moved up to 147 and has won three in a row, over Erick Bone, Lamont Peterson and Jayar Inson to put himself in title contention at his new weight. He’ll be in prime position to challenge for the IBF title, currently held by Errol Spence Jr., if he wins Saturday. Lipinets is a solid boxer but known more for his pressure fighting and durability. He was scheduled to face Kudratillo Abdukakhorov but the Uzbek had to pull out because of visa issues. Clayton is a 2012 Olympian but largely unproven as a professional. The Montreal fighter has built a gaudy record fighting only in Canada against second-level opposition, including an eighth-round stoppage of Diego Ramirez on Jan. 28 in Toronto. He might be biting off more than he can chew in Lipinets. We’ll learn a lot about him on Saturday.
Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. Teofimo Lopez, which takes place Saturday, is one of the best-possible matchups in boxing.
A critical look at the past week in boxing
GOOD
Vasiliy Lomacheko (right) and Teofimo Lopez will meet again on Saturday. Mikey Williams / Top Rank
I don’t usually look ahead in Good, Bad, Worse but I couldn’t resist this week.
Last month, the talented Charlo brothers gave us high-level performances to remember on a pay-per-view doubleheader. This coming Saturday, we have another mouth-watering main event to savor. And you don’t have to pay for it if you get ESPN.
Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. Teofimo Lopez is about as good as it gets, a matchup of a seasoned boxing magician from Ukraine against a fiery young American with his own gifts who believes his time is now.
Lomachenko, No. 1 on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list, fought for a world title in his second pro fight (losing to Orlando Salido) and hasn’t slowed down. Every one of his 13 subsequent fights has been for one world title or another.
Yes, you read that correctly: 14 of Lomachenko’s 15 outings have been title fights. He said when he turned pro that he wanted to take part only in meaningful fights and he meant it.
Some believe that the 32-year-old has shown signs of vulnerability over the past few years, specifically in victories over Jorge Linares and Luke Campbell at lightweight that might’ve been more difficult than expected.
If he has slipped, age could be a factor. So could size. Lomachenko (14-1, 10 KOs) progressed rapidly from 126 to 130 to 135. He’s arguably a small lightweight, which Lopez believes will work in his favor when they’re face to face inside the MGM Grand “bubble” in Las Vegas.
Lopez (15-0, 12 KOs) has the same number of pro fights as Lomachenko but hasn’t faced the same level of opposition, although he’s coming off a second-round knockout of Richard Commey to win one of the 135-pound titles. And while Lopez had a good amateur career, Lomachenko, a two-time Olympic champion, is considered one of the best amateurs ever.
Lopez, 23, has youth and a combination of other attributes – skill, speed, punching power, hunger – working in his favor. Many believe he has what it takes to beat this, perhaps slightly less formidable version of Lomachenko.
I, for one, can’t wait to see how it all plays out.
***
BAD
Emanuel Navarrete (right) got the job against Ruben Villa done but didn’t look as good as some expected. Mikey Williams / Top Rank
I wouldn’t say that Emanuel Navarrete’s performance against Ruben Villa on Friday was bad. It just wasn’t what we’ve come to expect from him. And he might never be the fighter at 126 pounds that he was at 122.
Navarrete (32-1, 27 KOs) got off to a strong start at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, putting Villa (18-1, 5 KOs) down twice in the first four rounds but then did just enough to hold onto his lead and win a vacant featherweight title. Two judges scored it 114-112, six rounds a piece. The third scored it 115-111.
Villa arguably outboxed in the majority of rounds in which he wasn’t knocked down, demonstrating that a good, experienced technician with some resilience can give Navarrete trouble.
The Mexican stalked his opponent from beginning to end but, aside from the knockdowns, didn’t do much damage. Had Villa countered more often when Navarrete missed the mark – and he missed a lot – he might’ve earned a draw or victory.
Can you imagine what fellow 126-pound titleholder Gary Russell Jr. would’ve done to the version of Navarrete we saw on Friday?
To be fair to Navarrete, he beat a good fighter to win a major title in a second division. That’s a laudable accomplishment.
And it was only his second fight as a full-fledged featherweight, at which Villa has fought his entire career. Navarrete could still grow into the division and become more dominating as he moves forward.
***
WORSE
Few have the Hall of Fame credentials of Floyd Mayweather (left). AP Photo / John Locher, File
I wasn’t a fan of the International Boxing Hall of Fame’s decision to lower the induction threshold from five to three years, which I believe can create a glut of candidates. Hopefully, another change will save the day in voting for the Class of 2021.
Only the top three vote getters are guaranteed induction. The additional change, made the same time the threshold was altered, allows anyone else receiving votes on 80 percent of ballots to also get in.
This year, in my opinion, five first-time candidates are no-brainer first-ballot Hall of Famers: Floyd Mayweather, James Toney, Wladimir Klitschko, Miguel Cotto and Andre Ward, all of whom happened to retire in 2017. There are other worthy names on the list – Rafael Marquez, Diego Corrales and Tim Bradley, for example – but they are a notch below the Top 5.
My hope is that 8 of 10 voters – who are limited to voting for five candidates — will agree with me and place check marks next the names of Mayweather, Toney, Klitschko, Cotto and Ward.
We don’t have to go into Floyd Mayweather’s credentials. He’ll be on the ballot of every responsible voter. Toney, a gifted boxer with a great chin, was a force between middleweight and heavyweight. Cotto, a four-division titleholder, was at the pinnacle of the sport for around 15 years. And Ward, my No. 1 fighter of the 2010s, faced a long list of elite opponents yet retired undefeated.
Of course, any of my five who fail to appear on 80 percent of the ballots this year could still be elected next year or beyond. However, that could create the glut mentioned earlier, where so many deserving candidates are on a single ballot that one or two are left out in the cold.
Vote Mayweather, Toney, Klitschko, Cotto and Ward!
Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. Teofimo Lopez, which takes place Saturday, is one of the best-possible matchups in boxing.
A critical look at the past week in boxing
GOOD
Vasiliy Lomacheko (right) and Teofimo Lopez will meet again on Saturday. Mikey Williams / Top Rank
I don’t usually look ahead in Good, Bad, Worse but I couldn’t resist this week.
Last month, the talented Charlo brothers gave us high-level performances to remember on a pay-per-view doubleheader. This coming Saturday, we have another mouth-watering main event to savor. And you don’t have to pay for it if you get ESPN.
Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. Teofimo Lopez is about as good as it gets, a matchup of a seasoned boxing magician from Ukraine against a fiery young American with his own gifts who believes his time is now.
Lomachenko, No. 1 on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list, fought for a world title in his second pro fight (losing to Orlando Salido) and hasn’t slowed down. Every one of his 13 subsequent fights has been for one world title or another.
Yes, you read that correctly: 14 of Lomachenko’s 15 outings have been title fights. He said when he turned pro that he wanted to take part only in meaningful fights and he meant it.
Some believe that the 32-year-old has shown signs of vulnerability over the past few years, specifically in victories over Jorge Linares and Luke Campbell at lightweight that might’ve been more difficult than expected.
If he has slipped, age could be a factor. So could size. Lomachenko (14-1, 10 KOs) progressed rapidly from 126 to 130 to 135. He’s arguably a small lightweight, which Lopez believes will work in his favor when they’re face to face inside the MGM Grand “bubble” in Las Vegas.
Lopez (15-0, 12 KOs) has the same number of pro fights as Lomachenko but hasn’t faced the same level of opposition, although he’s coming off a second-round knockout of Richard Commey to win one of the 135-pound titles. And while Lopez had a good amateur career, Lomachenko, a two-time Olympic champion, is considered one of the best amateurs ever.
Lopez, 23, has youth and a combination of other attributes – skill, speed, punching power, hunger – working in his favor. Many believe he has what it takes to beat this, perhaps slightly less formidable version of Lomachenko.
I, for one, can’t wait to see how it all plays out.
***
BAD
Emanuel Navarrete (right) got the job against Ruben Villa done but didn’t look as good as some expected. Mikey Williams / Top Rank
I wouldn’t say that Emanuel Navarrete’s performance against Ruben Villa on Friday was bad. It just wasn’t what we’ve come to expect from him. And he might never be the fighter at 126 pounds that he was at 122.
Navarrete (32-1, 27 KOs) got off to a strong start at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, putting Villa (18-1, 5 KOs) down twice in the first four rounds but then did just enough to hold onto his lead and win a vacant featherweight title. Two judges scored it 114-112, six rounds a piece. The third scored it 115-111.
Villa arguably outboxed in the majority of rounds in which he wasn’t knocked down, demonstrating that a good, experienced technician with some resilience can give Navarrete trouble.
The Mexican stalked his opponent from beginning to end but, aside from the knockdowns, didn’t do much damage. Had Villa countered more often when Navarrete missed the mark – and he missed a lot – he might’ve earned a draw or victory.
Can you imagine what fellow 126-pound titleholder Gary Russell Jr. would’ve done to the version of Navarrete we saw on Friday?
To be fair to Navarrete, he beat a good fighter to win a major title in a second division. That’s a laudable accomplishment.
And it was only his second fight as a full-fledged featherweight, at which Villa has fought his entire career. Navarrete could still grow into the division and become more dominating as he moves forward.
***
WORSE
Few have the Hall of Fame credentials of Floyd Mayweather (left). AP Photo / John Locher, File
I wasn’t a fan of the International Boxing Hall of Fame’s decision to lower the induction threshold from five to three years, which I believe can create a glut of candidates. Hopefully, another change will save the day in voting for the Class of 2021.
Only the top three vote getters are guaranteed induction. The additional change, made the same time the threshold was altered, allows anyone else receiving votes on 80 percent of ballots to also get in.
This year, in my opinion, five first-time candidates are no-brainer first-ballot Hall of Famers: Floyd Mayweather, James Toney, Wladimir Klitschko, Miguel Cotto and Andre Ward, all of whom happened to retire in 2017. There are other worthy names on the list – Rafael Marquez, Diego Corrales and Tim Bradley, for example – but they are a notch below the Top 5.
My hope is that 8 of 10 voters – who are limited to voting for five candidates — will agree with me and place check marks next the names of Mayweather, Toney, Klitschko, Cotto and Ward.
We don’t have to go into Floyd Mayweather’s credentials. He’ll be on the ballot of every responsible voter. Toney, a gifted boxer with a great chin, was a force between middleweight and heavyweight. Cotto, a four-division titleholder, was at the pinnacle of the sport for around 15 years. And Ward, my No. 1 fighter of the 2010s, faced a long list of elite opponents yet retired undefeated.
Of course, any of my five who fail to appear on 80 percent of the ballots this year could still be elected next year or beyond. However, that could create the glut mentioned earlier, where so many deserving candidates are on a single ballot that one or two are left out in the cold.
Vote Mayweather, Toney, Klitschko, Cotto and Ward!
