Emanuel Navarrete: record, next fight and profile →
Later on tonight Emanuel Navarrete (32-1) will attempt to become a two-division champion when he takes on Ruben Villa (18-0) for the vacant WBO featherweight title. The showdown takes place inside of "The Bubble" at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino and will be televised by ESPN.
From the moment the fight was first ordered, Ruben Villa fully embraced the concept of entering as the B-side. On the other end is one of the sport’s most prominent rising stars in Emanuel Navarrete (32-1, 28KOs), a streaking former junior featherweight titlist aiming to become a two-division champ. The 25-year old from San Juan Zitlaltepec, Mexico will face one of the sport’s most awkward stylists in the unbeaten Villa in order to realize that dream, as the two collide Friday evening on ESPN from The Bubble at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Navarrete, Villa Weights WBO Title Photos Gallery - Emanuel "Vaquero" Navarrete has won 27 consecutive bouts. Ruben Villa has never lost as a professional. Something will give Friday evening (ESPN, 10 p.m. ET), when the two battle for the vacant WBO featherweight world title, which became available after Shakur Stevenson moved up to the junior lightweight ranks. (photos by Mikey Williams)
Navarrete, Villa Press Conference Photos Gallery - Emanuel "Vaquero" Navarrete has won 27 consecutive bouts. Ruben Villa has never lost as a professional. Something will give Friday evening (ESPN, 10 p.m. ET), when the two battle for the vacant WBO featherweight world title, which became available after Shakur Stevenson moved up to the junior lightweight ranks. (photos by Mikey Williams)
The opponent in mind has changed, but the goal remains the same for Ruben Villa as was the case at the start of the year. Weeks of patiently wading through the ugly side of the sport’s politics paid off for the unbeaten featherweight contender, who will now challenge for his first world title. Villa initially figured for such an opportunity to come versus two-time Olympian and 2012 Olympic Bronze medalist Michael Conlan.
By Corey Erdman - One of Ruben Villa IV’s favorite things to do is finishing his afternoon road work by running up a hill in Riverside, California that overlooks the entire city. Up there, he can breathe, relax and bask in the beauty of his surroundings. As he prepares for the biggest fight of his life, a 126-pound world title opportunity against Emanuel Navarette on...
On Friday night, October 9th, undefeated WBO number-two ranked featherweight contender Ruben Villa (18-0, 5 KOs) gets his much deserved world title shot when he takes on former WBO super bantamweight world champion, and WBO number-one ranked contender, Emanuel Navarrete (32-1, 28 KOs), in a battle for the WBO World Featherweight title.
There were separate points in 2020 where Ruben Villa and Emanuel Navarrete both believed they would be fighting for the same title, though against other opponents. To their credit, a fight between the two was relatively easy to get done once alternate plans didn’t quite pan out as hoped.
This time, Emanuel Navarrete’s team was able to present an offer his potential next opponent couldn’t refuse. BoxingScene.com has learned that a vacant featherweight title fight between Navarrete and Ruben Villa has advanced in talks with the two sides close to finalizing terms. The news comes at the tail end of a negotiation period assigned by the World Boxing Organization (WBO), who alerted both camps to wrap up talks by this weekend to avoid a purse bid hearing.
The process to position Emanuel Navarrete for a shot at a second divisional title was much easier than actually getting him in the ring. A fresh round of talks to challenge for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight title is faced with the threat of a purse bid hearing looming overhead. Navarrete and his team are currently negotiating with unbeaten featherweight contender Ruben Villa, with the title fight ordered on August 19. The sanctioning body ruling came with a ten (10) day deadline for the two sides to reach a deal.