Emanuel "Vaquero" Navarrete (39-2-1, 32 KOs) defends his WBO junior lightweight world title against Charly Suarez (18-0, 10 KOs) this Saturday at Pechanga Arena San Diego, the latest chapter in the Mexico vs Philippines fistic saga, broadcast LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10pm ET/7pm PT.
In the co-feature, SoCal native Raymond Muratalla (22-0, 17 KOs) and Russia’s Zaur Abdullaev (20-1, 12 KOs) collide for the vacant IBF interim lightweight world title.
At Thursday's final press conference, this is what the fighters said:
Emanuel Navarrete: “My performance against Oscar Valdez was my way of showing that I’m now at 100 percent. There’s no doubt about that now. So, all we have to do is prepare well to achieve my goals.
“We know what happened the last time I was in San Diego. We did not get the victory. We lost against Denys Berinchyk in our attempt to win a title at 135 pounds. But now, defending at 130 pounds, we want to let the people know I’m ready to move forward with my career.
“I prepared for a great fight. We know that Suarez is coming for my title. So I want a great fight so everyone can see I’m ready to continue on the path of victory.
“We have to defend my title first. We’re going to work hard and take the title home. After, we’ll see if I stay at 130 or move up again.”
Charly Suarez: “I prayed for this fight. And here it is. The opportunity has come, and I have taken it. And we won’t lose.
“I’m bringing all my amateur experience into this fight. This is it. The world title shot is here, so I’m ready and I’m excited for the fight on Saturday.
“This is a good opportunity for me to represent my country and to show the world that Filipinos are good at boxing and that Filipinos and Mexicans put on great fights.”