For WBO super featherweight champion Emanuel Navarrete, facing Vasily Lomachenko, instead of diving into another mismatched rematch with Oscar Valdez, seems the more intriguing choice. Lomachenko has showcased the aptitude to counterbalance Navarrete’s impressive size and work rate. There’s a growing consensus that Lomachenko should transition back to super featherweight, as his recent bout against Devin Haney showcased a size disparity. With limited options at Top Rank for Navarrete, a face-off with Lomachenko seems imminent, given that a rematch with Haney or a bout against Gervonta Davis for Lomachenko remains unlikely.
Navarrete’s recent victory over Valdez was commanding, with the former outworking the two-division world champion in a twelve-round unanimous decision. Discussing the bout, Tim Bradley commented on the unpredictable nature of boxing to ESPN. Bradley highlighted Navarrete's proficiency in exploiting high guards, a technique that seemed to dismantle Valdez’s defense.
Analyst Mark Kriegel weighed in, pointing out Valdez’s adaptability from the fourth round. Yet, Navarrete’s unfamiliar offensive strategy proved too much for Valdez. Joe Tessitore chimed in, noting how often the boxing community undervalues Navarrete, given his unorthodox style and lack of traditional fundamentals. Bernard Osuna added that while Navarrete’s start was slow, his defensive strength and versatility played a crucial role in his victory.
Image Credit: Sky Sports