WBO featherweight champion Emanuel ‘Vaquero’ Navarrete 34-1 (29) is set to make the second defence of his crown against Joet Gonzalez 24-1 (14) at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California this Friday night.
The 26-year-old Mexican won the vacant title against previously undefeated southpaw Ruben Villa 18-1 (5) and made his maiden defence against Christopher Diaz 26-3 (16) in April. Villa lost on points while Diaz was stopped in the 12th.
Navarrete is a former WBO super bantamweight champion. He won the title against Isaac Dogboe 22-2 (15) in December 2018 before defeating him in an immediate rematch. In total he defended the bauble five times in a ninth month period before moving up in weight.
He is currently 8-0 (6) in world title fights.
“I feel very strong. I’ve seen changes in my body for the best and I think this division is the best for me,” said Navarrete, who has not lost since dropping a four-round points decision Daniel Argueta in his first year as a pro.
“I think this is going to be a tough fight. He is a tough opponent. We are basically fighting in his hometown, closer to where he lives. Without a doubt, he’s a great fighter. He always comes forward. I expect a tough fight.
“Moving up is not something that I’m considering now. I’m just focused on the fight with Joet. What I’ve heard is comments, but I’m not really thinking about moving up.”
Joet Gonzalez, 28, of Los Angeles, California, has lost just once. That defeat came to young hotshot Shakur Stevenson 16-0 (8) in his lone world title shot when the duo battled it out for the vacant WBO featherweight championship in October 2019.
Gonzalez went down on points with scores of 119-109 across the board.
Speaking on the loss, Gonzalez said: “Sometimes it’s just not your night. I work hard and train hard for every fight. I don’t take nobody lightly. It just simply wasn’t my night. I rebounded with a win over [Miguel] Marriaga and I think I showed the public I’m here to fight the best out there.”
Gonzalez will have his work cut out for him against Navarrete. The champion is rangy and awkward, raining in punches from all angles. And he can punch.
The challenger admits it’s a tough ask, but insists he is up for the task.
“It’s not an easy fight. It’s a tough fight. Navarrete has a style that’s very unique, very hard to figure out, and that’s why he’s a champion,” Gonzalez said.
“I trained really hard and I’m coming with everything. I’m planning on leaving Friday night with that belt.”
In the main support bout undefeated southpaw Giovani ‘Gallo de Oro’ Santillan 27-0 (15) will square off with Angel ‘Relampago’ Ruiz 17-1 (12) in a 10 round welterweight clash.
The card will be broadcast on ESPN+.
