The IBF junior lightweight champion expects fireworks from the opening bell when he meets Navarrete in a 12-round main event streamed worldwide on DAZN from Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. “The style matchup between myself and Emanuel Navarrete, I feel it will be a war from the very first round,” Nunez said. “I don’t believe this fight goes 12 rounds. And to be completely honest with you, I don’t see myself losing.”
Nunez (29-1, 27 KOs) is coming off a unanimous decision win over Christopher Diaz on September 6 in Los Mochis, his first defense of the IBF title he captured in May with a unanimous decision over Masanori Rikiishi in Yokohama. Now he faces a far more decorated opponent in Navarrete (39-2-1, 32 KOs, 1 NC), an awkward and relentless three-division champion.
“I think Navarrete is the hardest opponent you can face at 130 pounds,” Nunez admitted. “So, I think to end the fight [by knockout] would say a great deal about ‘Sugar’ Nunez. I believe I can make that happen.”
If victorious, Nunez would add the WBO belt to his collection and position himself for further unification bouts against WBC champion O’Shaquie Foster or the winner of the upcoming WBA title fight between James “Jazza” Dickens and Anthony Cacace. But first, Nunez is focused on delivering what he promises will be a “true war” - one he hopes fans will remember for years to come.
Image Credit: Matchroom Boxing