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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.

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