A long-discussed showdown between Emanuel Navarrete and Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez is now reportedly on the calendar. The two Mexican champions will meet in a unification bout for the WBO and IBF super featherweight titles on March 7, headlining a DAZN event at the Mortgage Matchup Center, home of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns.
The fight was finalized just a day after the WBO issued a 15-day deadline for negotiations, with all parties agreeing once a step-aside deal was reached for the Philippines’ Charly Suarez, who had been owed a mandatory rematch with Navarrete. Both Navarrete, promoted by Top Rank, and Nunez, under Matchroom Boxing and BXSTRS, confirmed the arrangement during the WBO’s annual convention in Bogota, Colombia.
Navarrete enters the unification bout after a turbulent few months. His technical decision win over Suarez in May was later overturned to a no-contest following a review by the California State Athletic Commission. With the rematch delayed, Navarrete turned his focus to Nunez, achieving his long-held goal of a unification fight — an opportunity he missed in previous divisions at 122 and 126 pounds.
Nunez secured his first defense of the IBF title in September, outpointing Christopher Diaz in his hometown of Los Mochis, Mexico. That victory followed his championship win over Masanori Rikiishi in Japan earlier this year.
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