Emanuel Navarrete-Oscar Valdez, Rafael Espinoza-Robeisy Ramirez in doubleheader
Three-division champion and WBO junior lightweight ruler Emanuel Navarrete will run it back with old foe Oscar Valdez on a card that will feature another premier rematch, between Rafael Espinoza and Robeisy Ramirez, Top Rank announced today.
The event will take place at Footprint Center in Phoenix on December 7.
Espinoza will be defending the WBO featherweight title against the man he claimed it from last December, while Navarrete, who won a wide decision over Valdez in August last year, will make his first fight since a May loss to Denys Berinchyk.
Navarrete, 38-2-1 (31 KOs), a 2008 and 2012 Olympian, claimed his first world title in 2018 with a victory over Isaac Dogboe.
“The fans will see the same 'Vaquero,' as always,” said Navarrete. “We’re working hard to regain the aggressiveness that defines me and give all the fans the intense fight they want to see on December 7. I still have a lot to do and big goals to accomplish in boxing, including unifying my title and possibly moving back up to 135 pounds."
Valdez, a 33-year-old from Sonora, Mexico, is 32-2 (24 KOs) and said he was “thrilled” to have the opportunity to face Navarrete once more.
“Although we lost the first fight, we stayed disciplined and focused on returning stronger,” Valdez said. “I know it’s a tough challenge – but not impossible. With that in mind, we returned to the gym and studied what we did wrong in the first fight to avoid making the same mistakes. I’m excited and confident that we will be victorious this time."
Espinoza is 25-0 (21 KOs). He climbed off the floor from a fifth-round knockdown to put Ramirez, a Cuban southpaw, on the canvas during a crucial 12th round to win by majority decision in what ESPN deemed the Upset of the Year.
From Guadalajara, Mexico, Espinoza made his first title defense in June when defeating countryman Sergio Chirino Sanchez in four rounds.
“I know the fans, just like me, have been looking forward to this fight. It’s a fight that I wanted,” Espinoza said. “I’m very motivated and happy, and I’m training at 100 per cent. This night of rematches will be great for Mexico, and I’m ready to give it my all, just like I always do.
“Our first fight was extremely close, action-packed and regarded by many as Fight of the Year. Since the cards were read, my team and I have been asking for the rematch.”
The undercard will feature Mexico's junior welterweight contender Lindolfo Delgado (21-0, 15 KOs) in a 10-rounder against Jackson Marinez (22-3, 10 KOs).
Emiliano Fernando Vargas (12-0, 10 KOs) will be aiming for his fifth win of the year in an eight-rounder at junior welterweight against Alan Ayala (11-4, 7 KOs), and Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jnr (11-0, 10 KOs) will return in an eight-round heavyweight fight.
“December 7 is going to be a special night in Phoenix, as we have two 50-50 rematches of incredible fights,” said Top Rank’s Bob Arum. “Navarrete and Valdez are two of the greatest Mexican warriors the sport has seen, and I expect another toe-to-toe battle. I thought the first Espinoza-Ramirez fight was the 2023 Fight of the Year, and I expect the 13th round to pick up where the dramatic 12th left off.”
