Saturday may upload every other access to an already long record of Battle of the Life contenders when Emanuel Navarrete clashes with Oscar Valdez. The 2 will struggle over Navarrete’s WBO tremendous featherweight championship after they meet in Glendale, Arizona (10 p.m. ET, ESPN).

Navarrete and Valdez have been firstly scheduled to fulfill in February for the then-vacant name. Valdez suffered an trauma and Liam Wilson stepped in to fulfill Navarrete, who was once unused to the section. Wilson compelled Navarrete right into a fierce struggle, which Navarrete received by means of stoppage within the 9th spherical.

The name win marked the 3rd section the place Navarrete (37-1, 31 KO) has held an international championship, having additionally been champion at tremendous bantamweight and bantamweight. His lone occupation loss got here in simply the 6th battle of his occupation and he has now rattled off 32 consecutive victories.

“I have said that the fight with Valdez was necessary for my career because of everything it represents. The rivalry between Mexicans is something essential,” Navarrete mentioned on the ultimate press convention. “It’s a good thing for the fight. But boxing fans have also put a lot of pressure on me, saying that my career was missing that cherry on top. They said that I needed an impressive and iconic fight where I exert much more of myself. The fight with Valdez is that kind of fight.”

Valdez (31-1, 23 KO) took a stay-busy battle in Might, beating Adam Lopez by means of cloudless unanimous determination. That win stored Valdez in place to get the battle with Navarrete booked as soon as once more.

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Valdez has held gold at featherweight and tremendous featherweight. In February 2021, he received the WBC tremendous featherweight name with a knockout of Miguel Berchelt. Then one a success name protection, Valdez suffered his first occupation defeat when he defended his name in a unification bout with then-WBO champion Shakur Stevenson.

“This fight means the world to me,” Valdez mentioned. “The loss to Shakur Stevenson sparked something different in me. It woke something up. It made me realize how much I missed boxing and how much I love the sport. The year away from boxing made me miss it so much. I also miss being a world champion. So, it also means the world to me to have another opportunity to become a world champion again.”

The undercard can even component the go back of a coveted heavyweight anticipation when Richard Torrez Jr. returns to stand Willie Jake Jr. Torrez Jr., 24, is undefeated at 5-0 with 5 knockouts up to now in his occupation next incomes a silver medal on the 2020 Olympic Video games. 

Let’s check out the extra of the battle card with the actual odds prior to attending to a prediction and knowledgeable select at the primary tournament.

Navarrete vs. Valdez battle card, odds

Oscar Valdez -175	Emanuel Navarrete (c) +150	WBO tremendous featherweight name
Lindolfo Delgado -1600	Jair Valtierra +9000	Tremendous light-weight
Richard Torrez Jr.	Willie Jake Jr.	Heavyweight

Prediction

Stylistically, this has the entire makings of a superior motion battle. Regardless of each males having remarkable information, neither is an ideal fighter. Navarrete went via hell in opposition to Wilson, getting badly rocked at one level prior to managing to get the stoppage. Valdez has a formidable left hook and if he lands blank, he can harm or even end Navarrete.

Valdez isn’t a large fighter for 130 kilos and must offer with Navarrete’s succeed in and unorthodox taste. It could be beneficiant to mention Valdez has now not seemed superior in his most up-to-date handful of fights. He must do the whole lot he can to be extra on level in opposition to a perilous opponent like Navarrete. 

This looks like a 50/50 battle, with Navarrete wanting to book Valdez caught at the outdoor and clear of area the place he can land that robust left hook. Valdez must get inside of Navarrete’s jab and drive an inside of battle. Navarrete now and again forgets to importance his range and in lieu chooses to combine it up greater than he will have to and that could be what turns this battle. Select: Oscar Valdez by the use of TKO9

Who wins Emanuel Navarrete vs. Oscar Valdez, and which prop is a must-back? Discuss with SportsLine now to look Peter Kahn’s easiest bets for Saturday, all from the boxing specialist who has netted his fans a benefit of just about $4,000, and to find out.