Navarrete vs. Baez Preview
Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California will host a featherweight title fight as WBO champion Emanual Navarrete will defend his belt against hopeful contender and fellow Mexican fighter Eduardo Baez.
Navarrete is (35-1, 29 KO) has won 30 straight fights since losing in his sixth professional fight in 2012. He most recently defeated Joet Gonzalez by unanimous decision in October to defend the WBO featherweight title for the second time. The Mexican fighter is a two-division champion having formerly held the WBO junior featherweight title from 2018 to 2020 with five successful title defenses.
The 27-year-old is looking forward to being back in the ring defending his title. “I’m very happy for my big return to the ring after some time off,” Navarrete said. “I’ve been working a lot on my physique, enjoying my family, dealing with some personal business in my town. We had some stuff to deal with the promoting company, we were working on, but it all went good. I am officially back as a Top Rank boxer for this next fight on August 20, and I am very happy.”
Navarrete went on to say of his opponent, “I’m happy to fight Baez,” he said. “I haven’t really seen much of him; I don’t know that much of him or his style but we know he is tough. We will be working to put on a great show.”
Does the champion have plans beyond featherweight? “I would like to unify with anyone of the other 126-pounds champions,” he said. “After that, going up to 130-pounds, where I could face Oscar Valdez. That would be a fight I’d love very much.”
Despite big plans beyond Saturday and not knowing much, Navarrete is not overlooking Baez. “I think Baez is coming with a strong desire to win. He is very well conditioned, and that can make for a great fight. I’ve also prepared very well. We both want this world championship. I have it, but he wants to snatch it away from me. That can make for a great fight from the start. So, I think this fight will lend itself to being a great matchup. We hope that Baez comes out very strong, that we both last the 12 rounds, and that we fight at a very high level,” said the champion.
Baez (21-2-2, 7 KO) is coming off a majority decision win against Enrique Vivas in March. The win was a big rebound after losing to Ra’eese Aleem by majority decision last November which put an end to a nine-fight winning streak. This will be the 27-year-old’s first fight for a major title.
The win for Baez over Vivas was considered a solid win in the eyes of the WBO and he has been awarded with the toughest test of his career. He spoke about what this title shot means to him at the official press conference. “I am very happy and excited to fight for a world title and fight a great champion like Navarrete. He looks like a nice guy but I want to take the belt.”
The fight can be seen on ESPN +
