Oscar Valdez is out, but Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete is still in as Navarrete hopes to become a three-division world champion when he faces Liam Wilson will fight for the vacant WBO junior lightweight world title Friday, Feb. 3, at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
The co-feature will see 140 lbs contender Arnold Barboza Jr. taking on two-division world champion Jose “Sniper” Pedraza.
The bout will be broadcast on ESPN, at 10 PM EST, with the undercard being streamed on ESPN+.
Navarrete-Wilson, Pedraza-Barboza, and the return of U.S. Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. in a six-round heavyweight special feature will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. EST/7 p.m. PST.
"This is my opportunity to become a three-division world champion. I am going for that crown,” Navarrete said. “Liam Wilson is a good fighter, but this is my moment, and everyone will see a much more complete 'Vaquero' Navarrete that has a lot of thirst for victory. My ideal weight is 130 pounds, and that will be demonstrated on February 3rd when I become world champion for Mexico and San Juan Zitlaltepec. Wilson will not get in the way of my dream.”
Rounding out the TV card will be heavyweight Richard Torrez Jr.. The ESPN+ undercard will see Andre Cortes vs. Luis Melendez, Nico Ali Walsh vs. Eduardo Ayala, Emiliano Vargas vs. TBA, Xavier Martinez vs. TBA, and Lindolfo Delgado vs. Clarence Booth.