EXCLUSIVELY ON ESPN+
LAS VEGAS (Aug. 26, 2019) — WBO junior featherweight world champion Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete will become the latest Mexican superstar to carry his nation’s flag proudly on Mexican Independence Day Weekend.
Navarrete will make the third defense of his title versus Filipino contender Juan Miguel Elorde on Saturday, Sept. 14 at T-Mobile Arena as the co-feature to lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury’s title defense against Otto Wallin.
In a 10-round super lightweight special attraction, former two-weight world champion Jose “Sniper” Pedraza will fight two-time world title challenger Jose “Chon” Zepeda.
Fury-Wallin and Navarrete-Elorde will stream live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+, the leading multi-sport streaming service, starting at 11 p.m. ET. The undercard, headlined by Pedraza-Zepeda, will stream on ESPN+ starting at 7:30 p.m. ET. ESPN+ is available via the ESPN App on mobile and connected devices, on ESPN.com and at ESPNplus.com.
“I am very excited and proud to be part of the big card in Las Vegas at T-Mobile Arena and to defend my title in front of my people on such a special date for my beloved Mexico,” Navarrete said. “We will represent the Mexican flag on the biggest stage in boxing.”
“When I was offered the opportunity to fight for the world title on such a momentous card, I didn’t hesitate,” Elorde said. “I’ve dreamed of becoming a world champion, and this is my chance. Trust me, I will bring my special brand of Pinoy Power to Las Vegas. The title will come home to the Philippines.”
Navarrete (28-1, 24 KOs) is wasting no time getting back to action, as he knocked out Francisco “Panchito” De Vaca in three rounds August 17 at Banc of California Stadium. One of boxing’s most active world champions, Navarrete shocked the boxing world last December in New York City with an upset decision win over Isaac “Royal Storm” Dogboe to win the title. Five months later, he repeated the feat, this time stopping Dogboe in the 12th round in Tucson, Arizona. The De Vaca victory was Navarrete’s 23rd in a row dating back to 2012, a four-round decision defeat in the final round of the Cinturón de Oro XVIII tournament.
Elorde (28-1, 15 KOs) has championship pedigree in his blood, as he is the grandson of the late Filipino boxing icon Gabriel “Flash” Elorde. He has won 18 bouts in a row since a four-round decision loss in November 2011, most recently scoring a 12-round unanimous decision over Japanese contender Shohei Kawashima to retain his WBO Asia Pacific belt. Elorde is attempting to become the first junior featherweight world champion from the Philippines since Nonito Donaire.
Pedraza (26-2, 13 KOs), from Cidra, Puerto Rico, has captured world titles at junior lightweight and lightweight and is beginning his quest to become the seventh male fighter from Puerto Rico to win world titles in three weight classes. His WBO lightweight title reign was brief, as he lost a competitive unanimous decision to Vasiliy Lomachenko last December in a highly anticipated unification bout. Pedraza rebounded in impressive fashion in May, knocking out the big-hitting Antonio Lozada Jr. in nine rounds.
Zepeda (30-2, 25 KOs), who lived in Guerrero Negro, Mexico, until the age of 10, is two fights removed from a majority decision defeat to Jose Ramirez for the WBC super lightweight world title. A southpaw who began boxing after moving to Southern California, Zepeda is seeking a third world title opportunity. In 2015, he challenged Terry Flanagan for the vacant WBO lightweight world title and was forced to retire on his stool with a separated shoulder following the second round.
“I’m thrilled about fighting on such a big card that will be headlined by heavyweight great, Tyson Fury,” Pedraza said. “I’m also very excited about fighting on such a big stage like the T-Mobile Arena, where so many big events have taken place. One of my goals is to headline a card at the T-Mobile Arena one day.
“This fight will be a classic Mexico vs. Puerto Rico fight! I know that a big win will take me a step closer to capturing another world title. I want to become a champion in every weight class that I fight. After the fight, I will celebrate Mexican Independence Day with my Mexican brothers.”
“I feel like this fight will give me the opportunity to really showcase my skills and put me in a position to challenge for a world title,” Zepeda said. “I’m glad that it is versus a former world champion like Pedraza. I am excited that we will add another chapter to the great Mexico vs. Puerto Rico rivalry.”
In other action on the ESPN+ undercard stream:
Former longtime WBC super flyweight world champion Carlos Cuadras (38-3-1, 27 KOs) will take on Jose Maria Cardenas (17-4, 14 KOs) in a 10-round super flyweight clash. Cardenas is coming off a stunning first-round knockout over then-unbeaten 2016 U.S. Olympian Antonio Vargas. Cuadras has won two in a row since a majority decision defeat to McWilliams Arroyo.
Light heavyweight contender Felix “Mangu” Valera (18-2, 15 KOs) will face former world title challenger Vyacheslav Shabranskyy (20-2, 17 KOs) in a 10-round bout that will propel the winner into the world title picture.
Tyson Fury stablemate Isaac Lowe (18-0-3, 6 KOs) will face veteran Luis Coria (12-2, 7 KOs) in a 10-rounder at super featherweight. Lowe last fought on the Fury-Tom Schwarz undercard in Las Vegas, where he bested Duarn Vue via unanimous decision.
Gabriel Flores Jr. (14-0, 6 KOs), the 19-year-old sensation from Stockton, California, will face Mexican veteran Miguel Angel Aispuro (11-8-2, 7 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight contest.
Isidro Ochoa (7-0, 3 KOs) will clash with fellow unbeaten Iskander Kharsan (6-0, 5 KOs) in an eight-round super bantamweight fight.
Heavyweight prospect Guido “The Gladiator” Vianello (4-0, 4 KOs), who represented his native Italy at the 2016 Rio Olympics, will face Cassius Anderson (7-1, 3 KOs) in a six-rounder. Vianello’s four pro fights have lasted a total of six rounds.
