Guest Writer
This weekend we have quite a show brewing in Glendale, Arizona, as an exciting 9 boxing bouts card is going to take place, and the main event will be for the WBO Junior Super Featherweight Title.
The headliner match will be exciting for Centro-American boxing fans, as it will have two Mexican fighters, once the current Champion, Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete (37-1-0), defends his belt against the Sonoran Challenger, Oscar Valdez (31-1-0)
With these two Mexican fighters getting ready to put it all on the line during this Twelve 3-minute rounds bout, we will likely get to see the crowd on the edge of their seats the further the fight goes.
Let’s get ready to dive into the details of who you should be backing up when both fighters get into the ring this weekend.
When:
Saturday, August 12th – 8:00 pm ET at the Desert Diamond Arena
Ring walks time:
(Estimated) 11:00 pm ET
Moneyline odds:
Emanuel Navarrete +125
Oscar Valdez -175
Where To Watch:
Why Bet on Emanuel Navarrete?
Navarrete burst onto the scene to claim the WBO junior featherweight title at the expense of Isaac Dogboe (UD 12) in December 2018. The heavy-handed Mexican stopped Dogboe (TKO 12) in the first of five defenses before moving up in weight.
The 28-year-old bested previously unbeaten Ruben Villa (UD 12) to claim the WBO 126-pound title. He made a further three defenses, including dominating tough Joet Gonzalez (UD 12).
Most recently he became a three-weight WBO belt holder by getting off the canvas to stop Liam Wilson (TKO 9). Navarrete (37-1, 31 knockouts) is younger and fresher, but he’ll be facing the best opponent he has gone against up to date.
Why Bet on Oscar Valdez?
Valdez, The Ring’s No. 1-rated junior lightweight, was a standout amateur, appearing at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, and winning bronze at the 2009 World Championships. The Mexican star claimed the vacant WBO featherweight title by blasting out Matias Rueda (TKO 2), in July 2016, and made six defenses.
Notable triumphs came against Miguel Marriaga (UD 12) and Scott Quigg (UD 12) before he moved to 130. Valdez scored a career-best win when he knocked out Miguel Berchelt (KO 10) for the WBC title.
The 32-year-old made one successful defense, struggling to get past Robson Conceicao (UD 12) before losing to WBO ruler Stevenson (UD 12) in a unification bout. He knocked off some ring rust by out-boxing Adam Lopez (UD 10).
Final Betting Analysis – Emanuel Navarrete vs. Oscar Valdez
This should be a good scrap. Navarrete is a rugged and awkward volume puncher with a sneaky inside game. Valdez is a power-hitting technician with an Olympic-level amateur background and a ton of heart and desire.
Add Mexican pride to the mix, and we’ve got a potential battle of attrition. Both can be seen as shop-worn, which can also add to the likelihood of them scrappin’ it out, but of the two veterans, our hunch is that Navarrete has more wear and tear on his body.
We think Navarrete will outwork Valdez and do his share of damage, but the hunch here is that the faster, harder, and more accurate single shots will be landed by the two-time Mexican Olympian, who will hurt or drop Navarrete at some point but will also mix movement into his game plan as he did with Miguel Berchelt before he walked the veteran puncher into a KO of the Year candidate.
We can’t count out Navarrete’s valor and toughness, so our pick is Valdez by a divided decision.
Go for a victory for the Sonora native at -175. If you bet $100 at such odds, you could get $57.14 for a total payout of $157.14.
Navarrete vs. Valdez Betting Pick: Oscar Valdez
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