Bob Arum Looks Forward to Oscar Valdez v Emanuel Navarrete
Top Rank head honcho Bob Arum is excited about a showdown featuring two-division champions Oscar Valdez (30-1, 23KO) and Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete (36-1, 30KO). Depending on what weight they decide to fight at, it could be for the vacant WBO junior lightweight title.
In an interview with Fighthype, legendary promoter Arum revealed his excitement about the fight and its February 3, 2023 targeted date.
“I think both fighters have agreed to fight each other. The question is what venue . . . That fight, I think is definitely going to happen.”
“These guys, they don’t mess around. I mean there’ll be a lot of punches thrown. Reminds me of the old (Erik) Morales and (Marco Antonio) Barrera days.”
Valdez’s last outing was a unification against two-divisional champion Shakur “Fearless” Stevenson on April 30. He would suffer the first defeat in his career and seems willing to get back on the saddle by taking on someone the caliber of Vaquero.
Navarrete was not overly impressive in his last outing – a late knockout victory over Eduardo Baez on August 20. The current WBO featherweight champion came off a long layoff looking sluggish. After the fight, his team revealed how he struggled to make weight and contemplated moving up.
A POSSIBLE SHOWDOWN FOR THE VACANT TITLE
There has been no mention of which weight division will host the upcoming battle. The smart money is on a possible fight for the vacant WBO title that was vacated by Stevenson. According to the WBO rules, a champion of another division is automatically placed in the mandatory position. Moreover, upon request, they have the option to fight for the title immediately.
Navarrete could virtually jump to the front of the line. Valdez, ranked number #3 by the WBO, could be ordered to fight his fellow stablemate for the vacant title.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Fans are more than excited to see these two tough, Mexican fighters trade leather.
By: Garrisson Bland
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