On February 3, Glendale (USA) will host a Top Rank boxing evening, the main event of which will be a duel for the vacant WBO super featherweight (up to 59 kg) world title between Mexican Emanuel Navarrete (36-1, 30 KOs) and Australian Liam Wilson (11-1, 7 KOs).
In the second most important fight, the prospect of the super lightweight division (up to 63.5 kg) from the USA Arnold Barbosa Jr. (27-0, 10 KOs) and the ex-champion in two categories, Puerto Rican Jose Pedraza (29-4-1, 14 KOs) will meet .
Also on the undercard are prospects Richard Torrez (4-0, 4 KOs) and Nico Ali Walsh (7-0, 5 KOs) from the heavyweight and middleweight divisions, respectively. The opponents of both will be announced later.
The show was officially announced the day before.
Recall that initially Navarrete’s opponent was supposed to be his compatriot Oscar Valdez, but he was injured and was forced to withdraw from the fight. The good news for Oscar is that in his first fight after his recovery, he will be able to challenge the title and fight the winner of the upcoming fight.
“This is my chance to become a world champion in three categories,” recalls Navarrete, who previously held the WBO super bantamweight (up to 55.3 kg) and now in featherweight (up to 57.2 kg). I’m going for this belt. Liam Wilson is a good fighter, but this is my moment, and everyone will see a much more perfect Navarrete, who is overwhelmed with a thirst for victory. 59 kg is my ideal weight, and you will see it for yourself on February 3, when I become world champion. Wilson can’t get in the way of my dream.”