Seeing Double: Navarrete vs Valdez 2 & Espinoza vs Ramirez 2

Call it the Reese’s Cup of boxing. Top Rank brings together two tasty rematches, and the partnership makes for a tasty card this Saturday, Dec. 7, at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

World titles are on the line in both fights, and both are expected to bring the action as the participants did in the original matchups.

Rematches Highlight Top Rank Card

Both Emanuel Navarrete and Oscar Valdez have been respectful toward each other in the build-up to their rematch. Photo: Mikey Williams, Top Rank

Three-division champion Emanuel “El Vaquero” Navarrete of Mexico (38-2-1, 31 KOs) defends his WBO junior lightweight world title against former two-division champion Oscar Valdez of Sonora (32-2, 24 KOs) in an all-Mexican main event.

Navarrete, dropping back to the junior lightweight division after losing to Denis Berinchyk in a fight for the WBO World Lightweight title, hopes to stop Valdez in the rematch.

Valdez is coming off a dramatic comeback seventh-round TKO win over Liam Wilson of Caboolture, Australia (13-3, 7 KOs). Valdez wanted to prove to himself he’s still got it. Trainer Eddy Reynoso believes Valdez he can turn the tables and become a three-time world champion.

Rafael Espinoza hopes to make use of his height and reach advantage against Robeisy Ramirez. Photo: Mikey Williams, Top Rank

In the co-feature, Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza of Mexico (25-0, 21 KOs) defends his WBO featherweight world title against Robeisy “El Tren” Ramirez of Cuba (14-2, 9 KOs). Espinoza upset Ramirez one year ago to take his title. Ramirez wants it back.

Espinoza wants to prove his win wasn’t a fluke, while Ramirez is eager get revenge and prove exactly the opposite, that his loss was a one-time event.

Navarrete-Valdez 2 & Ramirez-Espinoza 2 will be broadcast LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT.

Navarrete vs Valdez 2: All-Action Guaranteed

Emanuel Navarrete got off to a quick start and never looked back in his first fight with Oscar Valdez. Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images

Navarrete needs a good performance to erase the stain of his lackluster performance against Berinchyk. He acknowledged only one way the rematch would go.

“We all know that we both plan to come out and give a war and leave everything in the ring again. The bar is gonna be set really high and so we’re gonna have to try to do better than that,” said Navarrete.

Valdez said his solid win against Wilson allowed him to continue getting fights at the top level. “That’s why there was so much emotion for me after that fight. And that fight got me the ticket for this rematch.”

Oscar Valdez fought to stay relevant, winning by seventh round TKO over Liam Wilson. Photo: Mikey Williams, Top Rank Boxing

Valdez says he knows the rematch won’t be an easy task. “But nothing in life that is worth it is going to be easy. It’s always going to be hard. So, we trained hard. I’m excited for this. I’m excited to face the great ‘Vaquero’ once again. It’s going to be a great fight.”

Navarrete, whose future was in question after the loss, said he is now 100% focused no Valdez. “The first fight helped us learn about each other. And now we will use the tools that we extracted from the first fight.

“Aside from using our experience with each other, we will also come with the same heart as last time. And so, I can’t say much, but no doubt it will be not just a fight but an epic event, especially with the co-main before us.”

Navarrete admitted he was disappointed by the loss. “But then you go back to the gym, and you start to work out. Then, you start to see that you can do better. So, you have to visualize it first. And now we are here. Let’s get it on.”

Espinoza vs Ramirez 2: Rematch or Repeat?

Rafael Espinoza prevailed in a Fight of the Year over Robeisy Ramirez. Can he do it again? Photo: Mikey Williams, Top Rank

Rafael Espinoza was riding a 22-fight win streak when he decided to challenge Ramirez for the WBO World Featherweight title. Although Espinoza was undefeated at the time, two-time Olympic medalist and champion Ramirez was the favorite.

In the 2023 Fight of the Year on many lists, Espinoza started strong, looking good, until Ramirez caught him with a devastating right hook in the fifth round for a knockdown. Espinoza survived the round on wobbly legs. Ramirez continued to have the upper hand, but Espinoza wasn’t counting himself out yet.

In a final round flurry, Espinoza dropped Ramirez to a knee, stealing the round and the victory with scorecards of 115-111, 114-112, and 113-113, a shocking outcome. Espinoza earned the respect of the fans and a Top Rank contract.

Espinoza won a tune-up fight in June with an impressive seventh-round TKO against Brandon Leon Benitez, and he’s vowing to get his revenge. Ramirez defended his title a week earlier against Sergio Sanchez by fourth-round TKO. The stage is set for a sizzling fight.

Espinoza says the timing is perfect.

“I’ve always wanted a rematch. because it was a war where we both gave everything. So, he deserved it, I deserved it, and the people deserved it.” Espinoza says his status as a champion has made him both a better person and better fighter. “I’m enjoying it.”

Ramirez said the loss is in the past, and he won’t make excuses. “Simply put, I think that I learned how you should fight when you’re not at 100% physically and mentally,” said Ramirez.

“Yes, we all know about my height advantage, but I also have another advantage, and that’s my heart. So, I’m going to show my heart by giving everything in the ring this Saturday.”

Prediction: Espinoza has gained tremendous confidence as a champion, but Ramirez knows what it’s like to take a loss and learn from it, thanks to his extensive amateur experience. We predict Ramirez will get his revenge on Espinoza and win by late-round TKO.

Undercard Lineup: Contenders Return to Action

The ESPN+-streamed undercard begins at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT, offering three matchups for Top Rank contenders.

Lindolfo Delgado got the better of Carlos Sanchez in a Mexican showdown in March. Photo: Mikey Williams, Top Rank Boxing

Unbeaten Mexican junior welterweight contender Lindolfo Delgado (21-0, 15 KOs) will face Jackson Marinez of the Dominican Republic (22-3, 10 KOs) in a ten-round fight.

“This is what I’ve been waiting for,” said Delgado. “I’m focused on my fight because I know it’s a tough fight. I’m looking for an opportunity at a world title. I have what it takes to fight against anyone and against any of those champs. I’m just waiting for that opportunity.”

Heavyweight Richard Torrez Jr. Stays Busy

Richard Torrez Jr. will close out 2024 against top Mexican heavyweight contender Isaac Munoz. Photo: Mikey Williams, Top Rank

U.S. Olympic heavyweight silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. of Tulare, California (11-0, 10 KOs) makes his fourth appearance of 2024 in a scheduled eight-round fight against Issac Muñoz of Mexico (18-1-1, 15 KOs).

Torrez Jr. ended his perfect knockout record in his last fight in Glendale when opponent Joey Dawejko was disqualified for repeatedly spitting out his mouthpiece. Torrez Jr. recalled telling an Uber driver after the fight he was 11 and 0, “with, oh, 10 knockouts,” and it stung a bit.

Richard Torrez Jr. blasted Joey Dawejko with hooks and uppercuts, sending Dawejko’s mouthpiece flying five times. Photo: Mikey Williams, Top Rank Boxing

“But, at the end of the day, I’m here to win, and I’m here to put on good performances. I did that last time, and I’m looking to continue doing that,” against the top rated heavyweight in Mexico. Muñoz has a solid amateur background.

“Every time I train, I train for a world championship fight. I don’t train for the opponent. I train to be the best boxer I can be, and on Saturday night, you will see that.”

Giovani Santillan Kicks Off Comeback

Giovani Santillan returns to the ring after his first loss, and hopes to make it his only loss. Photo: Mikey Williams, Top Rank

Welterweight contender Giovani Santillan of San Diego (32-1, 17 KOs) returns from his first pro defeat against Fredrick Lawson of Ghana, now based in Chicago (30-5, 22 KOs).

Santillan took a beating from Brian Norman Jr., which few expected from the undefeated Santillan, suffering two knockdowns before the fight was stopped. Santillan said it was a tough loss but said one loss would not hold him back from achieving his goals. Santillan said a rough weight cut was partly responsible for the outcome.

“Ever since I went back to camp, everyone has been supportive. They all believe in me, and since then, it’s been about working on strategy and game plan for this fight. But also my preparation. A lot of it has to do with my weight cut and things like that.”

“That’s the way I was raised by my dad. Sometimes, you fall, but you get back up and keep going. That’s the mentality I’ve had since {my defeat}.”