Mobile Home | Desktop Version




Navarrete Battles Villa for WBO Featherweight World Title Friday in Las Vegas

By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 06 Oct 2020



Mexican former super bantam world champ Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete – the warrior who overpowered Masbateño Jeo “Santino” Santísima last February – is set to battle unbeaten Mexican-American southpaw Rubén Villa this Friday, October 9, @ the MGM Grand’s Bubble in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

After 5 successful defenses of his WBO súperbantam belt, “Vaquero” Navarrete now wants to conquer the featherweight division. Can he do that?

The 25-year-old from San Juan Zitaltlepec, a fighter also known as “The Mexican Iron Man,” has been boxing's most active world champion, waging 6 world title fights in just over 14 months (from December 2018 to February 2020). How about that?

The last time he fought in a non-title rumble was against Uriel López last June 20 in Ciudad de México, a fight “Vaquero” won via 6th round TKO.


Navarrete in action against the Philippines' Santisima.

Currently ranked as the WBO #1 featherweight, Navarrete (31-1, 27 KO’s), has won 27 consecutive bouts, including 14 of his last 15 by way of KO, and the target for this Friday is Rubén Villa.

Meanwhile, the 23-year-old Villa (18-0, 5 KO’s) from Salinas, California – promoted by Thompson Boxing – comes from defeating Alexei Collado, José Enrique Vivas and Luis Alberto López in his last three rumbles to earn this world title shot.

Will Rubén Villa make the best of it by stunning, shocking and defeating Navarrete?

Does this California boxer pack enough firepower to damage the strong “Vaquero?”

Or will “Vaquero” Navarrete brutally ravage Villa to claim the WBO feather belt?

That we’ll find out soon enough.

The show is promoted by Bob Arum live on ESPN.

Navarrete vs Villa in Featherweight action. May the Best Man Win..!!

The author boxing writer Carlos Costa lives in Cebu, can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.com and WhatsApp +639184538152.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.

Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Hebert Conceicao Sousa Wins Perilous Unanimous Decision over Johan Gonzalez in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Prudential Center  in Brick City
    Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • ARGENTINE KO KING CHAVES FACES MADUENO IN LAS VEGAS
    Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Team USA Clinches Eight Medals At 2026 Gee Bee Boxing Tournament
    Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Weights From ‘Mielnicki vs. Huerta’ Event from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV
    Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Boquiren to face Olmillo in RFL on April 18
    By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • USA Opens Strong at 2026 Gee Bee Tournament In Helsinki
    Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Filipino chess prodigy Nika Juris Nicolas eyes Woman International Master title
    By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Blazen Rocili "The Filipino Giant" Dominates in Statement Victory at "Rumble in the UNE," Improves to 10-0
    Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Oppas to face Lu on April 11 in Australia
    By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Ilar, Infiesto to play in Guevarra Chess Cup
    By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Pabular to face Kitano on April 13 at Korakuen Hall
    By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Five reasons why IBA NOMAD 14 in Almaty is worth watching
    Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Antonio bounces back in Sydney International Open Chess Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Wise Owl Boxing Signs Rising Los Angeles Prospect Jahvad McDermott
    Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Staying active is Magsayo’s priority
    By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 09 Apr 2026