Prediction: Bet Valdez to win
- Over/Under: Navarrete vs Valdez(9.5)
- Spread: Valdez -175
- Pick: Bet Valdez
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Fight preview Navarrete vs Valdez
This is close to a 50/50 fight, and one of the best matchups so far this season. This battle for Mexico promises to be an entertaining match between two true warriors.
Technically, this fight could become the fight of the year. You have two durable Mexican fighters with undying fighting spirits who throw vicious, fast combinations at one another and boast impressive KO rates among junior lightweights.
Watching both boxers decide between aggressive forward movement or more deliberate boxing tactics will be fascinating. Both men possess powerful lead hands capable of changing the fight, so we should anticipate an exciting chest match of violence.
Will Valdez use his experience to win?
Valdez, The Ring’s top-rated junior lightweight, was an outstanding amateur who competed at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, earning bronze at the 2009 World Championships, before becoming one of the biggest stars at 130 pounds. After his initial shot against Matias Rueda (TKO 2), he successfully claimed the WBO featherweight title. He made six defenses against notable opponents Miguel Marriaga and Scott Quigg before moving up in weight.
Valdez made his career-best win when he knocked out Miguel Berchelt (KO 10) to take home the WBC title. The 32-year-old made one successful defense, getting past Robson Conceicao with difficulty before losing to WBO ruler Stevenson via a unification bout. To break off any ring rust, he out-boxed former opponent Adam Lopez (UD 10).
Will Navarrete pull off the small upset
Navarrete quickly made his mark by winning the WBO junior featherweight championship at Isaac Dogboe’s expense in December 2018. The heavy-handed Mexican defeated Dogboe via TKO 12 during his initial defense before making a transitional move up weight class.
He defeated Ruben Villa (UD 12) to claim the WBO 126-pound championship, then successfully defended it three more times, most recently stopping Liam Wilson with a TKO 9 stoppage.
Navarrete (37-1, 31 knockouts) will face his strongest opponent to date; will he rise to the occasion or falter? Valdez (32-1-1, 23 KOs), with greater versatility but more mileage on his clock, may turn this fight into a battle of attrition. Will his power hold up against an elite 130-pounder?
Our Betting Pick for Today – Bet Valdez to win
I predict that Valdez will emerge victorious on Saturday night and claim the WBO belt. Both boxers possess equal abilities in this fight; however, Valdez has more experience and superior speed – an edge Valdez is expected to use to his advantage in taking home this title.
Valdez’s left hook will be key this weekend; if he can land his jab and set up that powerful left hook, Navarrete may have an uphill climb ahead. This is an even matchup but the experience difference should see Valdez emerge victorious.
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