BN Preview: Navarrete vs. Valdez is not only the best fight of the week, it awakens ghosts of the past

LAST weekend the total trilogy between Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales was proven on Top Rank’s YouTube channel.

What a method to go a number of hours on a Sunday night. It was a well timed reminder that when two world-class Mexican fighters go to work the outcomes can typically be thrilling. Having fought each other at super-bantamweight and featherweight their third instalment occurred at super-featherweight. And this Saturday night time at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona one other 130lbs all-Mexican conflict involving Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete, 37-1 (31), and Oscar Valdez, 31-1 (23), might produce one other fight of the yr contender in the division. Three months in the past in Wales, Joe Cordina and Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov produced the sort of fight which might ship Saturday’s followers residence feeling they bought worth for his or her cash in the event that they watched one thing related.

If we apply the previous adage ‘You’re only nearly as good as your final fight’ then Navarrete could possibly be in hassle. In February, the 28-year-old was dropped in spherical 4 by Australia’s Liam Wilson, not somebody you routinely affiliate as being heavy-handed. Navarette survived to finish issues in the ninth and walked out of the identical venue he fights at on Saturday with the WBC super-featherweight strap. It was a efficiency that confirmed the each the all-action and weak qualities that make the long-limbed Mexican a fighter value watching.

Valdez, one suspects, would not let Navarrete off the hook if he is introduced with the same alternative to the one Wilson created for himself. The 32-year-old is a exact and highly effective technician who has only been discovered wanting as soon as; when up towards the elegant Shakur Stevenson in April 2022.

A 13-month interval out of the ring ended when Valdez comfortably defeated Adam Lopez for a second time, having overwhelmed him in 2019.

Navarette and Valdez look on paper like two dance companions that may click on from the first step to supply one thing that brings drama and knockdowns in a fight might final lengthy in the reminiscence. Navarette, in actual fact, shares similarities with Mexico City gunslinger Jhonny Gonzalez who all the time regarded like one punch away from victory or defeat.

For Valdez this fight is a possibility to reestablish himself as a power to be reckoned with at his new weight. Seven months earlier than the defeat to Stevenson he produced a flat efficiency in his win over Robson Conceicao. Events in Tucson had been shrouded in controversy after Valdez failed a medicine take a look at beforehand for the banned substance phentermine, a weight-loss drug. He was finally cleared to fight the Brazilian by a gaming fee, however a bitter style remained. The win over Adam Lopez in May was anticipated however it seems like an awfully very long time since the excellent knockout victory towards Miguel Berchelt in February 2021, Valdez’s best displaying.

Against Navarrete there needs to be loads of moments for Valdez to reveal his crisp body-punching whereas his tight defence might show key early on. The ring self-discipline of Navarrete will subsequently be very important to his possibilities. Violent exchanges appear sure, and to prevail, Navarrete should maintain calm beneath strain. Should he go away himself too open, or get too carried away, Valdez has the instincts to finish issues.

Overall, we really feel, Valdez is the higher fighter and the extra rounded. It might in the end come all the way down to who makes fewer errors, and, as a result of of that, Valdez can safe a late stoppage win in a sometimes entertaining Mexican conflict.

On the Top Rank undercard in Glendale there are outings for some rising stars who’re making an attempt to battle by way of a queue of world-class prospects beneath the watchful eye of Bob Arum

The heavy-handed Raymond “Danger” Muratalla, 18-0 (15), continues his ascent up the light-weight division with a 10-round bout towards unbeaten Diego Torres Nunez, 17-0 (16). Muratalla has been dropped twice in his profession up to now, making him one other edge of the seat fighter. In March, for instance, he was down in the opening spherical towards Humberto Galindo however recovered to knock out the 23-year-old in the ninth.

Muratalla had it his personal means in May stopping former Shakur Stevenson opponent Jeremia Nakathila in the second session.

Saturday’s opponent is fond of early nights as properly. Torres and Muratalla received’t have to attend lengthy to search out each other. Torres is a come forward-fighter however he’s taking a step up right here. As such, the choose is Muratalla to get the job executed following a feisty affair. But do not go away your seat, this one might explode at any second.

At super-lightweight Lindolfo Delgado, 17-0 (13), will likely be anticipated to maneuver to 18 not out towards Jair Valtierra, 16-2 (8).

THE VERDICT: The primary occasion could possibly be an absolute belter and is, by a long way, the best matchup of the week.