Navarrete v Stevenson Anybody?
Currently there is a notable amount of upheaval within the WBO rankings at their super bantamweight and featherweight divisions. This is due to their fighters, WBO world super bantamweight champion Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete (31-1, 27 KO’s) and WBO world featherweight champion “Fearless” Shakur Stevenson (14-0, 8 KO’s) both looking to vacate and move up. However, if that happens, could we be missing an extremely appetizing fight?
If Stevenson hung around for just a bit longer, perhaps he and Navarrete could make one tremendous championship showdown. The fight makes a great deal of sense, is very meaningful and should be extremely easy to make. Both boxers are WBO champions and mutually promoted by Top Rank.
ONE HAND WASHING THE OTHER
For Vaquero, his rationale for the northern migration is fueled by his not wanting to struggle making weight any longer. Fearless, on the other hand, is frustrated with his inability to secure a big enough bout and is simply moving on to greener pastures. By coming together to fight however, they would be doing each other a very big service.
To begin, Navarrete could make his debut in the division with a major splash. Also, Shakur Stevenson would gain the high-caliber competition he needs to validate his claims of being the best of the best. Luckily there is a long standing precedent for this type of prizefight within the WBO.
NOTHING NEW HERE
Following his conquest of Julius “Blue Machine” Indongo (23-2, 12 KO’s) on August 19, 2017 WBO world super lightweight champion Terence “Bud” Crawford (36-0, 27 KO’s) moved up to welterweight. He would then immediately challenge Jeff “The Hornet” Horn (20-2-1, 13 KO’s) for his 147lbs WBO title.
And most recently, undisputed cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (17-0, 13 KO’s) moved up from cruiserweight to immediately be named the WBO #1 mandatory challenger for unified heavyweight champion Anthony “AJ” Joshua’s (23-1, 21 KO’s) strap.
LET’S DO IT!
The WBO has a lush and established pattern of allowing a champion to move up and immediately face their champion. Therefore, making Stevenson v Navarrete should be a breeze! Let’s just hope the right minds think about this appeasing prizefight. It is certainly mutually beneficial to both fighters and would appear easy to put together.
By: Bakari Simspson
