By Mark Eisner: WBO super featherweight champion Emanuel Navarrete (38-1, 31 KOs) threw 1038 punches to defeat Oscar Valdez (31-2, 23 KOs) by a 12round unanimous decision on Saturday night at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.

The scores were 119-109, 118-110, and 116-112.

B24 News will be giving updates below on tonight’s live boxing action.

In the chief support bout, undefeated light welterweight Lindolfo Delgado (18-0, 13 KOs) defeated Jair Valtierra (16-3, 8 KOs) by a dull ten round unanimous decision. The judges scored it 98-92, 99-91, and 99-91.
Undefeated heavyweight prospect Richard Torrez Jr. (6-0, 6 KOs) made easy work of 40-year-old Willie Jake Jr. (11-4-2, 3 KOs), stopping him in round one. Torrez knocked Jake down with a big shot. After he got up, he finished him off. The referee stopped the contest at 1:22 of round one. It’s unclear why Torrez Jr, a 2020 Olympian, is being matched against low-level opposition. With his amateur experience, Torrez is capable of fighting better fighters.
Lightweight prospect Emiliano Vargas (6-0, 5 KOs) stopped Jorge Luis Marquez Alvarado (3-6-1, 2 KOs) in the second round. Vargas knocked Alvarado down twice to get the knockout. The time of the stoppage was at 2:17.
Undefeated heavyweight Antonio Mireles (8-0, 7 KOs) destroyed Dajuan Calloway (7-3, 7 KOs)by a sixth round knockout. The contest 1:38.

The time of the fight tonight between Navarrete and Valdez will be after 11:00 p.m. ET.

Emanuel Navarrete & Oscar Valdez fight tonight on Showtime from the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Navarrete (37-1, 31 KOs) defends his WBO super featherweight title for the first time in a 50-50 fight against Valdez (31-1, 23 KOs). The Navarrete-Valdez card kicks off at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT. on Showtime.

Navarrete vs. Valdez prediction

This writer is picking WBO super featherweight champion Navarrete to retain his title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Valdez.

“Since I started boxing, there came a moment where people began to call me ‘The Cowboy.’ It comes more as part of a dynasty from my trainer down to the U.S.,” said Emanuel Navarrete to Top Rank Boxing.

“I think what might set me apart is I’m not that conventional. My way in which I train and my style comes as that difference. I’m a hard working man, and I like to develop my strength.

“I try to focus and work on myself and what I have to do. Then, all of a sudden, I start to transcend. I start to grow in boxing. I know that if I develop strong and my preparation is good, I can do a good fight, right?” said Navarrete.

“What defines me is my heart,” said Valdez. “I don’t ever picture myself as losing. I always visualize myself as #1 because that’s what I have to do. I can’t be working out hard here in the gym, training, hitting the bag, sparring twelve rounds, running early in the morning or late at night, sacrificing, leaving my family back home to say I’m going to be #2. I want to be #1.

“That’s the mindset that fighters always have to have, and that’s what I’m doing now. I’m training hard, and I’m going to give my best. I never promised a fight of the year. I never promised a knockout.

“I will always leave my heart inside the ring. I’ve been doing this since I was eight years old, and I’ve been a professional for ten years. Now is my chance. I feel good now, physically & mentally. There has not been a fight where I don’t train hard.

“I’ve never been scared of facing anybody. I’m ready, and it’s been a long way to make this fight happen. There’s nothing like stepping into the ring and fighting your heart out. Winning & knocking out your opponent.

“Having that applause from the crowd and having people cheer for you and getting excited. All those emotions are very hard to explain. I wouldn’t know what to do without boxing,” said Valdez.