Oscar Valdez vs. Emanuel Navarrete agreed for possible February 3rd fight

Image: Oscar Valdez vs. Emanuel Navarrete agreed for possible February 3rd fight
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 28: Oscar Valdez speaks during the press conference with Shakur Stevenson prior to their WBC and WBO junior lightweight championship at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)
By Boxing News - 10/26/2022 - Comments

By Brian Webber: Bob Arum says Emanuel Navarrete and Oscar Valdez have agreed to a fight in 2023. The fight could take place on February 3rd.

The Top Rank promoter Arum says they’re still trying to figure out the venue for the location, but both fighters have agreed to the contest.

WBO featherweight champion Navarrete (36-1, 30 KOs) will defend his belt against the recently beaten former two-division world champion Valdez (30-1, 23 KOs).

Valdez, 31, lost his WBO super featherweight title to WBC champion Shakur Stevenson last April by a 12 round unanimous decision. It’s a hard fight for Valdez on paper, but he’s already proven himself capable of beating sluggers in the past with his victories over Scott Quigg and Miguel Berchelt.

Oscar will need to drop a little weight to face Navarrete at 126, which shouldn’t be too much of a problem given that it’s only four pounds that he’ll need to lose.

It’s courageous of Valdez to take on the dangerous Navarrete, as he’s arguably the best fighter in the featherweight division.  Valdez has taken the tough road in the last two years, fighting these guys:

  • Shakur Stevenson
  • Robson Conceicao
  • Miguel Berchelt

“I think both fighters have agreed to fight each other. The question is what venue,” said Bob Arum to Fighthype about Oscar Valdez and Emanuel Navarrete agreeing to fight on February 3rd.

“Brad Jacobs of Top Rank has been talking to a Mexican group about maybe doing it in Mexico City or, if not, Los Angeles or Phoenix, but that fight is definitely going to happen.

“That really is something. These guys, they don’t mess around. There will be a lot of punches thrown. it reminds me of the old Morales-Barrera days.

“He’s a warrior. Oscar, everybody knows what a great guy he is, and how good he is for boxing. He’s also a tremendous fighter, a real warrior.

“So a real warrior wants to be tested, and Valdez wants to be tested, and who better to test him than Navarrete,” said Arum.

Navarrete hasn’t faced anyone with the kind of talent that Valdez possesses, and it won’t be surprising if he loses. The best guys that Navarrete has faced up until now are Isaac Dogboe x 2, Christopher Diaz, and Joet Gonzalez.

With Navarrete’s weak resume, he may not hold up against a talent like Valdez because it’s a massive step up in competition.

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