Navarrete-Valdez, Espinoza-Ramirez world title rematches official
World title bouts both set for Top Rank's Dec. 7 card in Phoenix
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Top Rank will close its 2024 American boxing schedule with a world title doubleheader featuring two mandatory rematches of action-packed fights on Dec. 7 at Footprint Center in Phoenix.
Emanuel Navarrete will defend the WBO junior lightweight title against interim titlist and Mexican countryman Oscar Valdez in the main event and Rafael Espinoza will defend the WBO featherweight belt against Robeisy Ramirez, the man he took the title from, in the co-feature of the Top Rank Boxing on ESPN card (ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN+, 10:30 p.m. ET; Sky Sports in U.K.), the promoter announced on Wednesday, confirming previous Fight Freaks Unite reports.
“Dec. 7 is going to be a special night in Phoenix, as we have two 50-50 rematches of incredible fights,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum, who will celebrate his 93rd birthday the day after the card. “Navarrete and Valdez are two of the greatest Mexican warriors the sport has seen, and I expect another toe-to-toe battle. I thought the first Espinoza-Ramirez fight was the 2023 fight of the year, and I expect the 13th round to pick up where the dramatic 12th left off.”
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Three-division titlist Navarrete (38-2-1, 31 KOs), 29, moved up to lightweight and lost a split decision to Denys Berinchyk for the vacant WBO belt on May 18 and elected to return to junior lightweight to defend his crown in the aftermath.
Valdez (32-2, 24 KOs), 33, a former featherweight and junior lightweight titleholder, had won the vacant interim belt via knockout of Liam Wilson on March 29. Most assumed Navarrete would remain at lightweight, win or lose, and Valdez would be elevated to full titleholder, but that did not happen.
“The fans will see the same ‘Vaquero’ as always,” Navarrete said. “We're working hard to regain the aggressiveness that defines me and give all the fans the intense fight they want to see on Dec. 7. I still have a lot to do and big goals to accomplish in boxing, including unifying my title and possibly moving back up to 135 pounds.”
In August 2023, Navarrete won a unanimous decision over Valdez in an all-action fight of the year contender to retain the title in a highly anticipated showdown. Valdez is excited to get a chance to avenge the loss.
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to fight for the WBO world title against a great fighter like ‘Vaquero’ Navarrete,” Valdez said. “Although we lost the first fight, we stayed disciplined and focused on returning stronger. I know it’s a tough challenge, but not impossible. With that in mind, we returned to the gym and studied what we did wrong in the first fight to avoid making the same mistakes. I’m excited and confident that we will be victorious this time.”
Espinoza-Ramirez II took time to get finalized after it was ordered but Top Rank came to terms with the fighters just before a purse bid was scheduled to have taken place last Friday.
Last December, in Pembroke Pines, Florida, the then completely obscure Espinoza (25-0, 21 KOs), 30, of Mexico, came out of nowhere and scored a monumental upset of Ramirez (14-2, 9 KOs), 30, the two-time Cuban Olympic gold medalist fighting out of Miami, to win the title in a dramatic all-action battle in one of the best fights of 2023.
Ramirez dropped Espinoza in the fifth round but Espinoza closed strong, including dropping Ramirez in the 12th round.
“I know the fans, just like me, have been looking forward to this fight,” Espinoza said. “It’s a fight that I wanted. I’m very motivated and happy, and I’m training at 100 percent. This night of rematches will be great for Mexico, and I’m ready to give it my all, just like I always do.”
Top Rank planned for an immediate rematch in June, but Espinoza wanted an interim defense first. Top Rank gave him one and he knocked out Sergio Chirino in the fourth round on June 21 in Las Vegas. On June 29, Ramirez knocked out Brandon Benitez in the seventh round in Miami to do his part with the plans for the rematch to be later this year.
“Our first fight was extremely close, action-packed, and regarded by many as fight of the year,” Ramirez said. “Since the cards were read, my team and I have been asking for the rematch. On Dec. 7, I’m coming to erase any doubts. I will reclaim my title.”
The Espinoza-Ramirez II winner could wind up challenging the Navarrete-Valdez II victor in 2025.
Top Rank also announced three bouts that will be part of the ESPN+ preliminary stream:
Junior welterweight contender Lindolfo Delgado (21-0, 15 KOs), 29, a 2016 Mexican Olympian, will face Jackson Marinez (22-3, 10 KOs), 33, of the Dominican Republic. Delgado has won three fights in a row since a three-fight losing streak against top opponents Frank Martin, Richard Commey and Rolando Romero.
Junior welterweight hot prospect Emiliano Vargas (12-0, 10 KOs), 20, of Las Vegas, who is the son of former two-time junior middleweight titleholder Fernando Vargas, will go for his fifth win of the year in an eight-rounder against Alan Ayala (11-4, 7 KOs), 27, of Mexico.
Heavyweight Richard Torrez Jr. (11-0, 10 KOs), 25, a 2020 U.S. Olympic silver medalist from Tulare, California, will take on an opponent to be determined in an eight-rounder.
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Great card I hope we get it over here live we don’t get a lot of espn cards live they all ufc on our espn