In a highly anticipated bout, boxing’s powerhouses Oscar Valdez (31-1, 23 KOs) and Emanuel Navarrete (37-1, 31 KOs) are set to light up the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona on August 12. Top Rank, the promoter for both boxers, is expected to bring this exciting face-off to PPV, considering the magnitude of this clash for boxing fans around the world.
Despite this fight's high-profile status, there’s speculation over the physical condition of both boxers. Both Navarrete and Valdez seem to be revealing signs of wear and tear, casting doubts over their performance. Critics argue that the clash, while entertaining for fans, does not feature the top dogs in the 130 weight class. Despite the excitement around the fight, there are doubts whether either Valdez or Navarrete would hold a candle against WBC champion O’Shaquie Foster. Other champions like Joe Cordina and Hector Garcia could also be expected to outshine Valdez and Navarrete, who seem to be showing signs of aging in the ring.
Navarrete, aged 28, came dangerously close to a knockout in his previous fight against relatively unknown opponent Liam Wilson in February 2023. Referee Chris Flores’ intervention allowed Navarrete to regain his mouthpiece, after it was displaced when Wilson floored him in the fourth round. The pause in action offered Navarrete some crucial time to recoup and survive the round. Meanwhile, Valdez, aged 32, recently displayed a less than stellar performance, winning an unremarkable 10 round unanimous decision against second-tier fighter Adam Lopez. The fight, a rematch, featured in the undercard of the Devin Haney vs. Vasyl Lomachenko bout on ESPN PPV in Las Vegas.
Interestingly, Valdez came into the fight with Lopez after a 13-month hiatus and a harsh defeat at the hands of Shakur Stevenson. Despite managing to secure victory against Lopez, his performance fell short of his former glory, sparking questions about his current form. Lopez himself had suffered a decisive defeat against Abraham Nova, who, in turn, was dominated by two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez. This chain of defeats reflects the decline in Valdez’s performance, further underscored by his struggles against Lopez and his one-sided loss to Shakur. As the high-stakes Navarrete-Valdez clash approaches, the boxing community is on edge. Regardless of the winner, they are advised to steer clear of Foster, Robeisy, Cordina, Hector, and Lomachenko, whose skills seem too formidable for Valdez and Navarrete at their current state.
Image Credit: Top Rank