Latest news with #EmanuelNavarrete
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘It's been eating at me': The heartbreaking loss that drives Liam Wilson back to world title contention
Liam Wilson's controversial loss to Emanuel Navarrete stings, but that's not the fight that keeps him up at night. The 29-year-old feels he was robbed by a controversial decision that night in Arizona against Navarrete, but the result was out of his hands. It's his loss to Oscar Valdez last year that really stings, and is the driving force behind his quest to earn a third world title shot. That night, back in Arizona again, he says he was on his way to fulfilling the world title promise he made to his dying father many years earlier. Wilson rattled the Mexican early on, but couldn't capitalise on his advantage, and was eventually stopped in the seventh round. And that's the result that still eats him up inside. 'I don't have any regrets with the Navarrete fight, because I believe I caused the upset and I should be world champion,' Wilson told CODE Sports after making weight at 58.84kg for his must-win bout against Argentina's Ayrton Osmar Giminez (58.6kg) in Cairns on Wednesday. 'The Valdez fight though … 'I felt like I let the opportunity to become world champion slip through my fingers. 'The fight was going well, but I didn't stick to the game plan, and that's where I lost the world title. 'That eats at me more than the Navarrete fight. Because that was nothing to do with me or with Navarrete. 'With Valdez, it was all my own undoing.' Wilson was devastated after the Navarrete fight, but was still able to walk away feeling like a world champion after the referee gave the Mexican an excruciatingly long count after being knocked down. Being stopped by Valdez though, forced Wilson to reckon with what went wrong. 'It's been eating at me because I've had to come back to the drawing board and really recognise where I went wrong and how I can be better,' he said. 'Against Navarrete, I was just hard done by, so I didn't come back to the gym and work on things to get better. 'The whole world knows I should've been world champion, and I was sort of satisfied with that. 'But the Valdez fight … I was en route to becoming the world champion and just … I let it slip through my fingers. 'That's the one that hurts me the most.' That doesn't mean he doesn't want revenge against Navarrete. Indeed, the three-division world champion is still at the top of his hit list. But it won't mean anything unless he can get past Gimenez on Wednesday night. 'I want that rematch with Navarette, whether he has a world title or not,' he said. 'I want that fight back. 'My whole resume is about fighting the best opponents and the toughest fighters out there. 'I'm gonna have another one on Wednesday against Giminez, who reminds me a little bit of Sergio Martinez. 'He's 22-1 and he's ranked number 14 in the world, he's tough as nails and I'm going to have a tough night in the office. 'He boxes and moves and has a good jab, so I'll have to take that away from him. It'll be something new for me, but I'm something new for him too. He hasn't fought anyone like me before.' A win over Gimenez in his co-main event bout will put Wilson within touching distance of a world title shot once again. It's the same situation for Wednesday's headliner Liam Paro, who made weight comfortably at 65.2kg ahead of his showdown with American Jonathan Navarro (64.96kg). 'I need to work my way up and earn my stripes again,' Paro said. 'That's when we can talk about world titles again. 'For now, it's about getting the job done in good fashion, then I'll be knocking on the door of another world title shot. 'But for now it's strictly business. Navarro's here to fight and it's gonna be a cracker.' How to watch Liam Paro and Liam Wilson The fights are being broadcast on Fox Sports Channel 507 and streamed on Kayo Sports from 7pm. The main event between Liam Paro and Jonathan Navarro will be simulcast on Fox League from 9pm.
ABC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Liam Paro prepares for boxing showdown with Jonathan Navarro in Cairns
A validated Liam Paro is eyeing bigger targets, saying he will not "chase ghosts" and fight George Kambosos Jr. The Australian is instead intent on a rematch with his conqueror Richardson Hitchins, ideally for multiple belts, as he prepares to fight on home soil for the first time in nearly three years. The Mackay product (25-1) will headline Wednesday's boxing card in Cairns against the dangerous Jonathan Navarro (18-1). Caboolture's two-time world title challenger Liam Wilson (15-3) will also feature against Argentinian super featherweight Ayrton Gimenez (22-1) as he eyes a rematch with Emanuel Navarrete after his controversial loss two years ago. Paro upset Subriel Matias in Puerto Rico to win the IBF's super lightweight title last June and, when a homecoming bout with Kambosos Jr did not eventuate, was forced to return there and defend his belt against Hitchins in December. The Brooklyn star won a split decision contest and then, as forecast by Paro, obliterated Kambosos Jr in New York City in his first defence earlier this month. "I copped heat for saying George would lose, but I stand by it," Paro said. "I just never thought Kambosos was world class. That's not unpatriotic. It's just my opinion as someone who knows what that level really looks like. "There are levels to this game and I've shared the ring with the elite and I call it how I see it." Kambosos is 2-4 since upsetting Teofimo Lopez in 2021 but has retained a top-four IBF ranking alongside Paro, who is also well positioned for shots at the WBC and WBO belts. "I doubt it happens," Paro said of fighting his countryman. "I think ego gets in the way. He's made it clear he won't fight another Aussie, which says a lot. "But if we're both seen as one and two in the country, there's only one way to settle it. "If it ever makes sense, I'm all in. I'll fight anyone, anywhere, but I won't chase ghosts." Lopez currently owns the WBO strap and is on Paro's hit list, which includes Ryan Garcia, Rolando Romero and Isaac "Pitbull" Cruz. Paro's last win in Australia was a devastating first-round stoppage of Brock Jarvis that launched him towards his first title shot while signed to Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing. AAP
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ghostbuster Paro clears path to legacy-defining rematch
A validated Liam Paro is eyeing bigger targets, claiming he won't "chase ghosts" and fight George Kambosos Jnr. The Australian is instead intent on a rematch with their conqueror Richardson Hitchins, ideally for multiple belts, as he prepares to fight on home soil for the first time in nearly three years. The Mackay product (25-1) will headline Wednesday's boxing card in Cairns against the dangerous Jonathan Navarro (18-1). America's Jonathan Navarro is from a big fighting family, lost count of how many amateur titles he won and was brought to the pros by Oscar de la $12 outsider is confident of causing a big Aussie boxing boilover tomorrow #ParoNavarro MORE 👉 — MAIN EVENT (@MainEventTV) June 23, 2025 Caboolture's two-time world title challenger Liam Wilson (15-3) will also feature against Argentinian super featherweight Ayrton Gimenez (22-1) as he eyes a rematch with Emanuel Navarrete after his controversial Arizona loss two years ago. Paro upset Subriel Matias in Puerto Rico to win the IBF's super lightweight title last June and, when a homecoming bout with Kambosos Jnr didn't eventuate, was forced to return there and defend his belt against Hitchins in December. The Brooklyn star won a split decision contest and then, as forecast by Paro, obliterated Kambosos Jnr in New York City in his first defence earlier this month. "I copped heat for saying George would lose, but I stand by it," Paro said. "I just never thought Kambosos was world class. That's not unpatriotic, it's just my opinion as someone who knows what that level really looks like. "There are levels to this game and I've shared the ring with the elite and I call it how I see it." Kambosos is 2-4 since upsetting Teofimo Lopez in 2021 but has retained a top-four IBF ranking alongside Paro, who is also well positioned for shots at the WBC and WBO belts. "I doubt it happens," Paro said of fighting his countryman. "I think ego gets in the way. He's made it clear he won't fight another Aussie, which says a lot. "But if we're both seen as one and two in the country, there's only one way to settle it. "If it ever makes sense, I'm all in. I'll fight anyone, anywhere but I won't chase ghosts." Lopez currently owns the WBO strap and is on Paro's hit list that includes Ryan Garcia, Rolando Romero and Isaac 'Pitbull' Cruz. "People underestimate what Liam brings to the table,' No Limit boss George Rose said. "He's tough, smart, and marketable as hell. "He's doing it without shortcuts, without ducking anyone, and that's why the biggest names are going to have to deal with him eventually. "This is the beginning of something huge." Paro's last win in Australia was a devastating first-round stoppage of Brock Jarvis that launched him towards his first title shot while signed to Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing. "I had to defend my world title overseas under my last promoter when I should've been celebrating it in Australia," Paro said. "So this one's for my Aussie fans and Queenslanders. And next time I want to be back here again, but with a world title on the line. "I'm not here for easy fights or padded comebacks. You look at what Tim Tszyu's doing ... he's back in a mega-fight and rematch with (Sebastian) Fundora. "That's the blueprint and that's what I'm chasing too. "I'm not asking for a (Hitchins) rematch just to tick a box. "I want a belt in my hands before we run it back. And when we do, I want it to be a unification. That's the goal. That's how legacies are built."
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The next Canelo? Mexico's new generation of fighters are ready to replace Saul Alvarez
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - MAY 03: Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and William Scull (L-R) on the Fatal Fury City of Wolves card at ANB Arena on May 03, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by) Not one fighter can replace Saul Alvarez in boxing right now. "Canelo" has ruled over the boxing world for years, has won world championships in four different weight classes, and defeated Shane Mosley, Miguel Cotto, Amir Khan, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Gennadiy Golovkin, Sergey Kovalev and Caleb Plant, among others. Advertisement Though he never reached the mainstream highs of the Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao era, the period in which "Canelo" has reigned has shown he's a worthy successor because of how important he is as a figure to both boxing and Mexican culture. His fights have transcended the sport, and his business efforts show hints of an individual who could become bigger, still, than what he achieved as a sportsman. You always knew what you were getting at a marquee Canelo event before this latest chapter, and that's mariachi bands, a ring walk accompanied by Santa Fe Klan, and the fighter's favorite swear words in delightful English, like 'dumb b****.' Even people who don't speak Spanish know what "Viva Mexico, Cabrones" means — and that's all thanks to "Canelo." Cinco de Mayo fight nights were often a carnival, with high-rollers from Mexico dominating Las Vegas — and in recent years, that's all because of one man. Advertisement Alvarez, 34, has flown the Mexican flag with pride, but his time at the top is fast coming to a close. He hasn't scored a win by knockout since his brutal dominance of Plant four years ago, and his former Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn suggested the fighter could retire as early as this year. Alvarez's exit would be a loss, no doubt. But it would by no means lead to a dilution of Mexican excellence in boxing, because the country has a generation of fighters who, combined, can offset the loss that a king's retirement could otherwise cause. Emanuel Navarrete punches Robson Conceicao during a super featherweight title fight in November 2023. () (Steve Marcus via Getty Images) Emanuel Navarrete: Three-weight world champion Emanuel Navarrete, a fighter who has competed in five weight classes and won world championships in three of those, cannot help but get embroiled in classic, blood-soaked fights. He survives knockdowns and gnarly cuts, to grind out thumping wins with his awkward combat style. Advertisement In his past five fights he's beaten Oscar Valdez in a brutal beatdown by decision, shared a draw with Robson Conceicao, lost to Denys Berinchyk, and rebounded with a sixth-round knockout win in his rematch with Valdez. Earlier this month, he stopped Charly Suarez in the eighth round. If that weren't enough to develop a cult following among fight fans, you just need to look at what people wear to events that "Vaquero" (Cowboy) headlines, as those who attend often wear sombreros and Stetsons. His fan base is growing with every fight. Navarrete could box fellow Top Rank fighter O'Shaquie Foster in the future, but has also expressed interest in a return to lightweight so he can try and capture a world championship in a fourth weight class, joining the likes of legendary Mexicans like Erik Morales, Jorge Arce, Juan Manuel Marquez, Mikey Garcia, Leo Santa Cruz, and, of course, "Canelo" himself. Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez (left) and Yuniel Dorticos face off ahead of their June 28 fight on the Jake Paul vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. undercard. (Cris Esqueda/) (Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy via Getty Images) Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez: Two-weight world champion A Golden Boy Promotions fighter, Gilberto Ramirez is beginning to come into his own after rebounding from a decision loss to Dmitry Bivol by defeating Joe Smith Jr., Arsen Goulamirian and Chris Billam-Smith in the past 18 months. Advertisement Ramirez, a solid southpaw, has fought from light heavyweight to cruiserweight but does not appear as powerful at 200 pounds as he did below it. Though he's not as accomplished as others on this list, and perhaps does not have as high a ceiling as younger Mexican fighters, he could be thrust into one of the highest-profile fights of all, should he defeat Yuniel Dorticos on June 28 on the same card as Jake Paul's return to the ring against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Paul has long gunned for a world championship shot in boxing. If he beats Chavez, a world title match involving the internet sensation and Ramirez is probable considering the ongoing partnership between Most Valuable Promotions and Golden Boy. It's a show that could even air on Netflix, trumping the attention "Canelo" generated for his recent snoozefest against William Scull in Riyadh. WBO featherweight champion Rafael Espinoza made a statement in his recent title defense against Edward Vazquez. () (Steve Marcus via Getty Images) Rafael Espinoza: Featherweight world champion A rising star at Top Rank, Rafael Espinoza has set the sport of boxing ablaze since debuting in the U.S. in 2023, after spending the bulk of his career competing in Mexico. His first fight in the States, against Robeisy Ramirez, contained a Round of the Year contender during a firefight in which he won the WBO featherweight world championship — a belt he's retained with subsequent stoppage wins over Sergio Chirino, Ramirez in a rematch, and Edward Vazquez. Advertisement Espinoza is must-see television not just for his aggressive and powerful volume-punching, but also because he'll belt out Mexican ballads while standing tall over his knockout victims like a Latino Tyson Fury. Should the 31-year-old stay at the 126-pound division then box-office bouts against the likes of Angelo Leo or Stephen Fulton could await, and he'll be enticed to keep adding to his legacy at featherweight because if Naoya Inoue, Uncrowned's No. 2 pound-for-pound fighter, ever moves up, Espinoza could be the one to welcome him to the division. 'My dream is to become a pound-for-pound fighter,' he previously told Uncrowned. 'And I think a fight with [Inoue] will put me there. And when that day comes, I will win.' On his growing fame in the fight game, he also said: 'Julio Cesar Chavez and Marco Antonio Barrera called me and it filled me with pride now that they call me a champion. They said that I have heart, and not many boxers have that. I'm happy about that.' Isaac "Pitbull" Cruz wears a dog mask as he makes his ring entrance for a super featherweight bout against Angel Fierro in February 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. () (Steve Marcus via Getty Images) Isaac Cruz: Former lightweight champion Already one of the most popular Mexican prizefighters on this list, Isaac Cruz brings "Pitbull-mania" to each and every one of his can't-miss fights because he's an all-action throwback brawler who hooks to the body and has a solid chin. Advertisement Though Cruz lost to Gervonta Davis in 2021, he is one of the few people to have been able to stand up to "Tank's" power and last the full 12 rounds. Since that fight, he's finished Yuriorkis Gamboa, stopped Rolando Romero in the eighth round of a fight that has aged well considering Romero's recent win over Ryan Garcia, and, most recently, came out on top of a feral Fight of the Year contender against Angel Fierro in February. Considering the widespread acclaim Cruz and Fierro received for their first fight, a rematch appears likely — and it could even land on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao's return to the ring against Mario Barrios. Should Cruz keep winning, he could score a second fight against Romero, or even a big-money "Tank" Davis rematch. William Zepeda (left) squares off with Shakur Stevenson on July 12 in a monster opportunity for his next fight. (Cris Esqueda/) (Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy via Getty Images) William Zepeda: Lightweight contender William Zepeda is yet to win a proper world championship, but he has his shot in his next outing as he takes on Shakur Stevenson for the full WBC lightweight title on July 12 at the Louis Armstrong Stadium — a 14,000-seat arena in New York City typically associated with tennis, more specifically the U.S. Open. Advertisement Stevenson is a -1,450 favorite by the BetMGM bookmakers, but Zepeda's representatives at Golden Boy Promotions have been touting their fighters chances in the fight for almost two years. Speaking to Uncrowned, former five-weight world champion and Golden Boy founder Oscar de la Hoya confidently said: 'If anyone can give Shakur trouble, it's William Zepeda.' He added at another recent event: 'We have a future superstar on our hands in 'El Camaron.' I literally think Zepeda is one of the most exciting fighters in boxing today.' Win or lose, Zepeda has eyed options beyond Stevenson, including an all-Mexican clash against Cruz, to determine the No. 1 fighter from their country at 135 pounds. 'Pitbull can't say that he's better than me,' he said recently. 'I can't say I'm better than Pitbull. The only way we can determine that is when we're in the ring in the middle, facing each other.' Zepeda also likes a fight against Lomachenko, should the two-time Olympic gold medalist ever return to the ring for one more pro fight. 'He's known to be an idol, and it's a dream of mine to get in the ring and fight an idol," Zepeda said, "[because] I want to become an idol myself.' Marco Verde (left) made his successful professional debut against Michel Galvan Polina on the Canelo vs. Scull undercard. () (Richard Pelham via Getty Images) Marco Verde: A highly-touted one-fight prospect Outside of the pro fighters who are already champions, or on the route to becoming one, Mexico also has a red-hot prospect who already has the respect of one of the nation's veteran boxers. Advertisement 'In Mexico, there's a lot of tough fighters,' 34-year-old former two-weight world champ Oscar Valdez told Uncrowned last year. 'But there's a silver medalist from the Olympic Games called Marco Verde,' who fans should keep an eye on, he said. There is even a "Canelo" link here as Alvarez's longtime coach and manager Eddy Reynoso has advised the novice boxer. To date, it's been a fruitful partnership as, just months on from making his successful pro debut on Alvarez's undercard for the Scull fight, Verde returns to the ring on July 12 in Sinaloa, Mexico. For Valdez, it is Verde who has the greatest chance to take the baton from "Canelo" and carry 'the flag for Mexico' going forward, he said.
Forbes
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Charly Suarez Appeals Title Fight Loss To Emanuel Navarrete
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 16: WBO junior lightweight champion Emanuel Navarrete waits for the ... More start of his title defense against Robson Conceicao on November 16, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by) Emanuel Navarrete retained his WBO junior lightweight world title on Saturday night, but the result was not without controversy. The bout went to the scorecards at the start of the eighth round after referee Edward Collantes called the fight because of a nasty cut over Navarrete's left eye. Collantes ruled the cut was the result of an accidental headbutt, Suarez's team is arguing that a punch caused the cut. The California State Athletic Commission will rule on the decision in early June. With ringside doctor Robert Ruelaz waving off the fight one second into the eighth round, replay official Jack Reiss scrambled to find a view of what caused the cut in the sixth round. Reiss could not find a definitive view of a punch opening the cut. Because the officials lacked conclusive evidence, the ruling in the ring of a headbutt stood as the official reason the fight ended. With that, since the fight had gone past the midway point, the scorecards were used to award Navarette the decision. "From the first moment of the impact, I knew it was a head-butt," Navarrete said after the fight. "It split my eyebrow completely, and from the first moment I noticed it was a head-butt." As for Suarez, he was sure the cut was caused by a punch. "I hit him with the right straight," Suarez said. "I want Navarrete again." According to BoxingScene, the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) will be tasked with reviewing what caused the cut at a June 2 commission meeting. In that story, Lance Pugmire wrote" In his appeal on Monday morning, Suarez asked the California commission to either award him the TKO victory or to label the bout a no-contest." Pugmire added, that WBO president Gustavo Olivieri said he would wait for the CSAC's decision before moving to order a rematch. After the fight, a better replay emerged which seemed to support Suarez's call for the result of the fight to be changed. If the CSAC rules the fight a no contest, the win will be removed from Navarette's record, but not added to Suarez's. If the commission opts to change the ruling to a TKO win for Suarez, he will be awarded the WBO junior lightweight title.
