Navarrete and Espinoza Win Their Rematches Saturday

Emanuel Navarrete and Rafael Espinoza both won their rematches Saturday in Arizona at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale. But their paths to victory couldn’t have been different. Oscar Valdez went out on his shield, and Robiesy Ramirez took himself out.

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Navarrete Blasts Valdez With Body Shot KO

Oscar Valdez reacts to a vicious body shot from Emanuel Navarrete. Photo: Mikey Williams, Top Rank

Three-division champion Emanuel “El Vaquero” Navarrete of Mexico (39-2-1, 32 KOs) had a sensational performance to defend his WBO junior lightweight world title against former two-division champion Oscar Valdez of Sonora (32-3, 24 KOs).

Navarrete landed a sweeping right hand in round one, a sharp straight right in round four, and a devastating right-hand body shot with the great Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. watching ringside to close the show against a brave but outgunned Valdez.

Look, I’ve always been a great fan of Julio Cesar Chavez. I’ve always treated him with the utmost respect and that shot, it’s all about continuing the legacy of the legend, Julio Cesar Chavez,” said Navarrete about his winning knockout punch.

“No excuses, he beat me well,” said Valdez. “He was the same old Vaquero. There’s a reason why he’s a champion. Those awkward shots, you don’t see them coming.”

Navarrete acknowledged Valdez’s effort, even if the fight appeared one-sided.

“He was extremely strong in this fight, and he kept coming forward. So what I had to do was to stop him in his tracks and push him backward, because if you let Valdez come at you, coming downhill, then it’s going to be a long night.”

No Scorecards Needs for Navarrete vs Valdez 2

Emanuel Navarrete and Oscar Valdez didn’t hold back for a second of their six round fight. Photo: Mikey Williams, Top Rank

There was little point to keeping score. It was evident from the opening moments the cards wouldn’t be necessary. Navarrete and Valdez stood right in front of each other and went to war.

In his return to 130 pounds after losing to Denis Barinchyk at 135 pounds, Navarrete was in the form that won him a huge fan base with his unconventional offensive output. Navarrete’s awkward style and angles shouldn’t work, but he lands punches his opponents don’t see coming.

Valdez took too many risks with Navarrete in such good form. He’s never shied away from a firefight. Valdez never gives less than everything and he made Navarrete work hard for the win, despite the lopsided lead after three knockdowns.

“We tried to get the victory. We worked really hard for it,” said Valdez. ” I’m sorry for all these people who came over here to see me from all over the place, from Sonora, from Phoenix. Thank you. I wish I had gotten a better result. Thank you for coming, and your support.”

Both Navarrete and Valdez came into the fight healthy, past several nagging injuries. Navarrete had surgery on a damaged left wrist and said it made a significant difference.

Emanuel Navarrete said his left hand has healed perfectly from recent surgery. Photo: Mikey Williams, Top Rank

“Look, I told you guys, once my left hand was healed, I was gonna throw it in different ways, and you saw that punch variety and how effective it was. All I can tell you is you are now witnessing the second stage of my career, and we’re gonna do great things,” said a re-energized Navarrete. He said he plans two more fights at 130 pounds, then move up a division to try his hand again at 135 pounds.

As for Valdez, he said he would consider his future but indicated his desire to return. If he changes his mind, he can hold his head high for giving his best in every fight, win or lose.

That’s not the case for the loser in the co-main event.

Espinoza Wins Rematch with Ramirez After Controversial Ending

Rafael Espinoza was getting the better of Robeisy Ramirez in a close fight when Ramirez retired due to blurred vision in the sixth round. Photo: Mikey Williams, Top Rank

It was another razor-thin fight on the scorecards through five rounds in the highly anticipated rematch between Rafael Espinoza of Mexico and Robeisy Ramirez of Cuba.

Instead of ending with a bang, it ended with a whimper. Ramirez of Cuba (14-3, 9 KOs) started the sixth round, taking a single punch from Espinoza (26-0, 22 KOs). He stopped and told referee Chris Flores he needed to stop because he could not see from a damaged right eye.

Rafael Espinoza successfully defended his WBO World Featherweight title in the rematch. Photo: Mikey Williams, Top Rank

Espinoza successfully defended his WBO featherweight world title with a sixth-round TKO. Like in the first fight, the scorecards at the time of the stoppage were close. Two judges had it 48-47 for Espinoza after five rounds, and Zachary Young saw it 49-46 for Ramirez.

Ramirez claimed after the fight, his eye had taken damage from elbows thrown by Ramirez. “In the fourth round, he hit me with a couple of elbows in the follow-through. I complained to the referee, and this is what happened,” said Ramirez.

“Look, I had double vision. I had to make sure I leave this ring the fight with my health,” said Ramirez. “At the end of the day, I coudn’t see. Those were elbows that ended up hurting me, and I had to pull out of this fight. I’m happy with my decision.”

“I landed a clean shot. That right hand, he felt that pressure coming on,” said Espinoza, adding that Ramirez felt the tide of the fight turning in his favor. “I think he knew what was coming,” said Espinoza.

Did Ramirez Retire – Or Quit?

Ramirez was taken to a Phoenix hospital for treatment following his retirement. Or did he quit? It’s something pundits and fans will argue over. The ESPN commentary team called it a “modern no mas” when video reviews showed no real damage from an elbow, but rather from punches.

Hall of Fame fighter Timothy Bradley Jr., who knows what it’s like to be in a firefight resulting in damage, offered more grace to Ramirez, saying he shouldn’t lose an eye over the outcome.

Seven-division world champion Amanda Serrano expressed her opinion.

Amanda Serrano, who fought on after a serious cut against Katie Taylor in their rematch, had a strong opinion about Robeisy Ramirez ending his fight against Rafael Espinoza. Photo: SerranoSisters/X

Had the fight continued, it would likely be a hotly contested outcome just as in the first fight. But if the condition of the fighters is a clue, Espinoza’s face showed minimal damage after the fight.

“I want to be a legend. I’m willing to face anybody. The fans want to see me. I’m going to be a fan favorite,” said Espinoza. He promised the Arizona fans, “This is going to be my new home, I’m going to return and give you great fights. Viva Mexico!” said the champion.

Delgado Deals Body Shot Knockout

Lindolfo Delgado is making his case for bigger fights in 2025. Photo: Mikey Williams, Top Rank

Mexican super lightweight contender Lindolfo Delgado (22-0, 16 KOs) delivered another impressive performance, stopping Jackson Marinez of the Dominican Republic (22-4, 10 KOs) in the fifth round of a scheduled ten-round fight. He retains the WBO Latino title.

A body shot ended the fight in favor of Lindolfo Delgado in the fifth round. Photo: Mikey Williams, Top Rank

Delgado dropped Marinez with a right uppercut he never saw coming, punctuated with a left hook. Marinez beat the count, and Delgado swooped in, landing a vicious right hook to the body. Referee Wes Melton immediately waved off the fight, as Marinez would not get up from the second knockdown.

The Mexican Olympian has operated under the radar all year. He lets his team set them up, and he mows them down. Expect to see Delgado in more significant fights in 2025.

Torrez Jr. Tears Through Muñoz

Richard Torrez Jr. hit Isaac Munoz with two hard left hooks to force a third round stoppage. Photo: Mikey Williams, Top Rank

U.S. Olympic heavyweight silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. of Tulare, California (12-0, 11 KOs) racked up a third-round TKO win over Issac Muñoz of Mexico (18-2-1, 15 KOs). Torrez Jr. bullied the bigger Muñoz, sealing the win with two hard left hooks, forcing a referee stoppage in his fourth fight of 2024.

Giovani Santillan Enjoys Successful Return

Giovani Santillan got the solid win he needed, stoppage Fredrick Lawson in the first round. Photo: Mikey Williams, Top Rank

Welterweight contender Giovani Santillan of San Diego (33-1, 18 KOs) started his campaign back into division contention with a first-round stoppage against Fredrick Lawson of Ghana (30-6, 22 KOs).

Lawson was admittedly a lesser opponent than Santillan’s recent foes. Nevertheless, it was good to see an aggressive Santillan taking it right to Lawson, mowing him down.

Keep an eye on talented super flyweight prospect Steven Navarro. Photo: Mikey WIlliams, Top Rank

Super flyweight prospect Steven Navarro of Los Angeles (5-0, 4 KOs) delivered another impressive performance, stopping Gabriel Cruz of Puerto Rico (7-2, 3 KOs) at 2:29 of the second round. Navarro scored a knockdown in the first round, sealing the victory in the second.