Oscar Valdez may have plenty of vocal support as the clock ticks down to his showdown against Emanuel Navarrete, with Navarrete risking his WBO super-featherweight world title. Valdez, who has fought out of Arizona on several occasions, is one of the more supported fighters with a following who make an effort to attend his fights and offer support.
One factor also aiding Valdez is the former two-weight world champion with childhood roots in Tuscon, Arizona and will have to visit support when the pair step in the ring in Glendale, Arizona, at the Desert Diamond Arena.
Navarrete, however, is not concerned that Valdez may have more support ahead of the anticipated all-Mexican world title affair.
“When I fought in [Glendale] earlier this year, I felt the same warmth and embrace as when I fight in Mexico,” Navarrete told BoxingScene.com. “I expect an even greater response when I fight Oscar Valdez.”
“He will have his fans, and I will have mine. It will be an amazing atmosphere and will feel like I’m at home.”
Navarrete was referring to when he faced Australia’s Liam Wilson in an entertaining affair back in February, with champion Naverrete having to raise himself from the canvas to halt Wilson in the ninth round. Wilson had been drafted in as a replacement for Valdez, who had been forced to withdraw from the original contest in February due to injury.
Three-weight world champion Navarrete, who will be boxing for the third time in Arizona, is confident that his support will swell leading up to the contest with Valdez and that he is not intimidated by a potentially hostile atmosphere.
“The fans really embraced me.”
“I was never worried about fighting Oscar Valdez here. I know he has a fan base here and in Tucson. I earned one in my last fight and expect a lot of those same fans to come back [on Saturday night].”
