
Report: Navarrete Decisions Villa, Claims WBO 126 World Title (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 10 Oct 2020

Strong Mexican featherweight Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete (32-1, 27 KO’s) outclassed and dominated Mexican-American Rubén Villa (18-1, 5 KO’s) of Salinas, California, for a 12-round unanimous decision victory Friday, October 9, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, USA. 🔥
Official numbers were 114-112 (twice) and 115-111, all in favor of the popular and tough “Vaquero” (which means “Cowboy”) from the town of San Juan Zitlaltepec, north of the México Valley.
Things heated fast in this clash. With a crushing left uppercut captured in these photos, Navarrete rocked the Mexican-American to the blue canvas in round 1. It was a tough moment for Villa that warned him of what the battle was going to become.

More was to come. Using his aggressive power, the 5’7” Mexican dropped the brave Californian again with a perfectly placed left hook to the chin seating him down on the ring apron. (see photo) 🥊
That showed fans that Navarrete was the man in control of action as he continued landing on his opponent with aggressive, damaging...and sometimes awkward firepower. 🔥

Villa was truly out-gunned throughout the rumble, yet his excellent conditioning, his spirit made of steel and his defensive boxing made him reach the end of the war on his feet. 😬
Yes indeed, Villa, 23, made it standing to the end of the fight, proving that he has got got a warrior heart in his chest, though it was crystal clear who the superior warrior was. 🧐
For his growing number of fans, Navarrete was evidently strong and dangerously skilled in the ring tonight, making it hard to guess what kind of formidable 126-pounder you need to be able to beat him in a toe-to-toe war.

Prior to becoming featherweight champion, Navarrete reigned as the super bantamweight world champ with 5 successful world title defenses of his belt.
Now he storms with a rewarding world title win in the featherweight class, and how far he can go, and who should he battle next?
Could the WBA “Chinese Monster” Can Xu (18-2, 3 KO’s) damage Navarrete?
And how would Navarrete do in a featherweight unification battle against American WBC champ Gary Russell (31-1, 18 KO’s) or the IBF unbeaten “Leeds Warrior” Josh Warrington (30-0, 7 KO’s)?
Tonight’s battle for the WBO Featherweight World Title at the Bubble inside the MGM Grand in Las Vegas was a production of Top Rank live on ESPN.
The author Carlos Costa lives in Mabolo, Cebu, and can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.com and WhatsApp 0918448152.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
VARGAS: BEATING BAM MAKES ME ‘THE MAN’
Thu, 11 Jun 2026Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo Hosts Media Workout Ahead of June 20 Defense Against Philippines’ Joey Canoy
Thu, 11 Jun 2026Sanman 101 boxing event to push through in General Santos
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 11 Jun 2026Panamanian female champ star Nataly Delgado ready to beat Artiga for WBA title in Orlando, Florida
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 11 Jun 2026Pedro Veitia Eager to Separate Himself in Battle of Unbeaten Middleweight Prospects June 13 in Orlando
Thu, 11 Jun 2026Raga, Esquillo, Ortega, Navarrete, Santos, Ripay to compete in Japan 10-Ball Open
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 11 Jun 2026Chess tournament goes to Dasmarinas Cavite
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 11 Jun 2026Roach Jr. vs. Zepeda Press Conference Quotes
Wed, 10 Jun 2026Steven Butler to face Edgar Berlanga on July 26 at the Infosys Theater of the Madison Square Garden in New York
Wed, 10 Jun 2026Nimal Farmer scores signature win over Michael Anderson at Prudential Center
Wed, 10 Jun 2026H2O EAGER TO MAKE STATEMENT AGAINST FORMER WORLD CHAMPION JOJO DIAZ IN HOMETOWN HEADLINER JUNE 19
Wed, 10 Jun 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 8 JUNE 2026: Ramirez SD Lerrone; Baumstarh SD Bustillos; Vazquez, Mindoro Win in Texas; Yabuki, Moloney, Casimero and Angeletti Win in Japan
By Eric Armit, Tue, 09 Jun 20262026 NBA Finals: Spurs Take Game 3, Beat Knicks in New York 115-111
By Reylan Loberternos, Tue, 09 Jun 2026Casimero still rocking
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 09 Jun 2026Mascarinas faces tough competition in 66th San Carlos Charter Day
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 09 Jun 2026