WBO super bantamweight champion Emanuel Navarrete wants to take on the world's best fighters at any weight, and is willing to hold on at 122 pounds, although he agrees that he has a hard time securing the right opportunities to make a unifying fight or take on specific challengers - the big names.
Navarrete spoke with the media through a Facebook Live session, and stated that at the moment he is training at home, and once the preventive measures for the coronavirus pandemic have been lifted, he will then determine the next step in his career.
"With Rey Vargas (WBC super bantamweight champion) I see it difficult for the fight to materialize, because he has said he does not want the fight. Maybe I'll fight with the Uzbek (Murodjon Akhmadaliev, WBA and IBF champion)... my hands will burn from fighting with him, or, if it is possible I'd like to face Luis 'Pantera' Nery or Naoya Inoue. I am delighted to face them, that's what we are for," Navarrete warned.
The "Cowboy" said he runs in the morning and performs a double session with training routines at home, where he fitted out a small gym with the basics and performs conditioning work with mitt and other gadgets.
"I am training and taking care of myself until this pandemic ends, to be among the first to raise my hand and fight," Navarrete said, noting that the constant work in the gym, the dedication of his team and the discussions that he's had, he's been able to defend his title five times.
Navarrete, who boasts a record of 31-1, 27 KO’s, regards his style is aggressive, and feels that he has the ability to take big shots. He confesses that in his most recent fight, last February against Jeo Santisima, he injured his hand in the third round and suffered more damage in the fifth, and thus came forward for the rest of the fight.
"But I'm fine now, I had tendonitis, rest and medication have completely restored me, I'm already punching and I haven't had any problems," Navarrete said.
"We maintain an intense rhythm of work and we take great care of ourselves, and of course marking 122 pounds represents a great effort, although we'll remain in the division to see if any interesting defenses come up, if the unification occurs, if Nery or Inoue come. I want to do the fights that people want to see, and if not, then I'll go at 126 pounds (featherweight) and there are many very interesting rivals. We will make the decision that is best for my career."