Yesterday, at the Diamond Desert Arena, Glendale, Arizona, 2-Division world champion and current WBO World Featherweight champion Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete (37-1, 31 KOs) fought against the WBO International Super Featherweight champion Liam Wilson (11-2, 7 KOs)
Wilson injured Navarette with a left hook to the jaw in the fourth round, then dropped him with a right to the chin in the closing thirty seconds. Referee Chris Flores granted him an 8-count and then at least another 10 seconds, allowing him to re-coup and insert his mouthpiece, allowing him to reach the bell. Navarette fought back strongly in the fifth round, gaining the round from Wilson, who sought to finish the stronger, hitting a right on the chin at the bell.
Wilson performs well in the sixth round only when he comes forward. He wounded Navarrette with a right hook to the jaw in the last seconds after changing southpaw after receiving too many shots. Navarrete drained blood from Wilson's nose in the last seconds of the seventh round, injuring him with a barrage of blows that sent him to the ropes. He also delivered punch after punch in the ninth round until a right on the chin down Wilson for an 8-count from referee Flores. The assault continued until the referee had no choice but to halt Wilson, who was helpless. He had nothing to be embarrassed about in his valiant attempt to win the championship.
Official main event highlights: Watch on Youtube
In the co-main event, Arnold Barboza, Jr. (28-0, 10 KOs), the WBO No. 5 rated and WBO Inter-Continental Super Light champion, upset former 2-division world champ Jose "Sniper" Pedraza (29-5-1, 14 KOs) over ten hard fought rounds.
Pedraza continued to come forward in the opening three rounds while the counterpunching Barbosa became more aggressive, particularly with his jab. In the fourth round, Barbosa continues to unleash a barrage of blows to the chin of Pedraza, who has no defense. Pedraza switched to southpaw in the fifth round, hitting his finest blow, a right to the jaw, at the bell.
In the seventh round, Pedraza continues to walk into Barbosa's counterpunches. Wes Melton, the referee, cautioned Pedraza for low punches in the ninth round. He just cannot outdo Barbosa. Pedraza came out in the tenth and last round, hitting four punches to Barbosa's head, knowing he needed a knockout to win. In the final minute, a cut was opened over the right eye of Pedraza by Barbosa.
Official co-main event highlights: Watch on Youtube
In the undercard, "The Legend Lives On" Nico Ali Walsh (8-0, 5 KOs) knocked out Eduardo "El Chee Chee" Ayala (9-3-1, 3 KOs) over six rounds.
After a minute in the second round, Muhammad Ali’s grandson landed a lead right on Ayala's chin, dropping him for an 8-count from Referee Mark Calo. Despite being warned multiple times for holding, Ayala landed several overhand rights, but not with the strength he had in the previous round. In the fourth round, Ayala tried everything he could to stay in the race, but Walsh was the faster of the two, out-landing Ayala. Walsh continued to outwork Ayala in the fifth round but was unable to finish him. Walsh fought hard to finish it in the sixth and final round, but there was no quitting.
Watch official fight highlights: Watch on Youtube
Also in the undercard, Andres “Savage” Cortes (19-0, 10 KOs) defeated Luis “Choo Choo” Melendez (17-3, 13 KOs), Lindolfo Delgado (17-0, 13 KOs), scored a knockdown against Clarence “Mr. St. Pete” Booth (21-7, 13 KOs), Richard Torrez Jr. (5-0, 5 KOs) stopped James Bryant (6-3, 4 KOs) and Emiliano “El General” Vargas (3-0, 2 KOs) defeated southpaw Francisco Duque (1-2).
Image Credit: DAZN