WBO junior lightweight champion Emanuel Navarrete is favored to defend his strap against challenger Oscar Valdez in a 12-round bout scheduled for December 7 in Phoenix, AZ. A three-division world champion, Navarrete moved up a weight class to go for a fourth only to be stopped via split decision by Denys Berinchyk in May. He returns to his more familiar weight class for a rematch with Valdez, whom he beat by unanimous decision 15 months ago in his first title defense.
A former two-division champ himself, Valdez’s only two career losses have come in his past four fights. He lost the WBC super featherweight title to Shakur Stevenson by unanimous decision in April 2022 and was thoroughly beaten by Navarrete in the first fight. Last time out Valdez won the interim title when Navarrete moved up class with a seventh round TKO of Liam Wilson. Valdez opened as a boxing odds underdog at +195.
Emanuel Navarrete vs. Oscar Valdez Betting Odds
Emanuel Navarrete -252
Oscar Valdez +195
The 12-round junior lightweight title fight between WBO champion Emanuel Navarrete ( 38-2-1, 31 KOs ) and challenger Oscar Valdez ( 32-2, 24 KOs) is scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, AZ. The fight will air live on ESPN.
Emanuel Navarrete vs. Oscar Valdez Fight Preview
Based off the results of the first fight it’s easy to see why Navarrete is the betting favorite. He scored a decisive unanimous decision and was clearly the aggressor landing 216 punches to 140 for Valdez. He also had a 176 to 114 advantage in power punches. Both fighters experienced the brutality of their sport with Navarrete sustaining a hand injury that eventually shelved him for a few months and Valdez having his right eye battered shut in the middle rounds.
Though it was a good bout between the native Mexicans, it wasn’t one that begged for a rematch, so it’s a bit surprising we have another fight as quickly as we do. And in fact that’s the last win Navarrete has on his resume. In his first bout after the Valdez fight he had a majority draw against Robson Conceicao last November to retain his WBO junior lightweight title. Navarrete also aggravated the hand injury sustained in the Valdez fight and would eventually have surgery.
Moving up a weight class to fight for the vacant WBO lightweight title earlier this year, Navarrete suffered his first loss since 2012, a span of 34 fights, in a lackluster split decision to Denys Berinchyk. The hand didn’t appear to be an issue, but Navarrete didn’t have the same power in his punches and he lacked the aggressiveness that got him to the top of several different weight classes.
Valdez is looking for redemption after a performance he wasn’t happy with in the first meeting. He’s also attempting to squash any talk of his age being a reason for his recent losses. Now 33 with 34 professional fights on his resume, Valdez hears the talk. He won his first 30 bouts stopping his opponent in each of the first 11. Maybe it’s a step up in competition but eight of last 13 fights have gone the distance.
In 2016 Valdez won the vacant WBO featherweight title stopping Matias Rueda with a second round TKO. In 2021 Valdez stopped Miguel Berchelt in the 10th round to win the WBC super featherweight title becoming a two-division world champion.
With a boxing style that wasn’t sustainable for a lengthy career, Valdez changed trainers in late 2018 after being involved in numerous slugfests. In the fight just prior to the change, Valdez suffered extensive damage to his mouth and face but also delivered several punishing blows in a UD over Scott Quigg.
Bet Emanuel Navarrete vs. Oscar Valdez
It’s not easy for a leopard to change his spots. Valdez has taken less abuse in his most recent fights, but he’s still a high-volume puncher who leaves himself open to counter strikes. That’s one area Navarrete exploited in the first bout. And Navarrete is a more seasoned fighter quick on his feet with the ability to avoid getting hit. There aren’t many secrets since it’s been just over a year since their last fight and I expect a similar outcome.
Boxing Odds Pick: Emanuel Navarrete / Decision
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