Upsets have been the theme for Top Rank’s boxing summer series.
Super Middleweight prospect David Kaminsky was pounded by Clay Collard, while Super Bantamweight contender Joshua Greer Jr. was dominated by Mike Plania earlier this week.
So the writing was on the wall for Emanuel Navarrete (32-1, 28 KOs).
The WBO Super Bantamweight champion was the heavy favorite against Uriel Lopez (13-14-1, 6 KOs) in their Featherweight contest, but unlike the aforementioned fighters who were upset, Navarrete proved exactly why everyone is so high on him.
Navarrete has always been a slow starter, but he came out slower than normal in Mexico City tonight. It was as if it was a sparring match. But as the rounds picked up, Navarrete began pouring on the pressure.
Although Navarrete never seemed to try during the first half, Lopez on the other hand, gave it everything that he had. Unfortunately for him though, it simply was not enough.
When the bell rang to signal the fifth round, a switch was seemingly flipped on in Navarrete. Once he decided to take things more seriously he sent his man down with a shot to the body. Lopez made it back to his feet, but Navarrete decided against pouring on the pressure and played it safe for the duration of the round.
In the following round however, it was as if Navarrete said to himself, “it’s time to go home.” That is exactly what happened as Lopez went down to the canvas yet again, this time for good.
Final Grade For Emanuel Navarrete: A
Emmanuel Navarrete was in complete control tonight. He fought an inferior opponent, but he looked great in doing so.
It wasn’t the test that he may have been looking for, but Navarrete has officially made his name in a new division tonight.
