San Diego Media Workout: Emanuel Navarrete, Nico Ali Walsh & Hometown Hero Giovani Santillan Prepare for August 20 Card @ Pechanga Arena
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 10 Aug 2022
Navarrete, Santillan and Ali Walsh will headline ESPN-televised tripleheader @ 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT
SAN DIEGO (Aug 9. 2022) — One of Mexico's great champions, a hometown hero, and the grandson of a legend will take center stage in San Diego next Saturday, Aug. 20, at Pechanga Arena San Diego.
Emanuel "Vaquero" Navarrete (35-1, 29 KOs) makes the third defense of his WBO featherweight world title against Mexican countryman Eduardo Baez (21-2-2, 7 KOs), San Diego's undefeated welterweight contender Giovani Santillan (29-0, 16 KOs) looks to improve to 30-0 against Julio Luna (19-0-2, 10 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature, and Nico Ali Walsh (5-0, 4 KOs) grandson of Muhammad Ali, will see action in a four-round rematch versus Reyes Sanchez (7-2, 3 KOs).
Ali fought at Pechanga Arena San Diego in 1973 — when it was known as San Diego Sports Arena — against Ken Norton in the first fight of their legendary trilogy. Norton broke Ali's jaw and won a decision in one of boxing's most storied upsets.
Navarrete-Baez, Santillan-Luna and Ali Walsh-Sanchez 2 will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
Tickets starting at $35 can be purchased at AXS.com.
At Monday's media workout in San Diego, this is what Navarrete, Santillan and Ali Walsh had to say.
Emanuel Navarrete
“He’s a warrior with an imposing, come-forward style. He is intelligent and has good technique. The fight will be difficult in the first six rounds until I figure him out. In the second half of the fight, we expect to be able to connect combinations to the body to weaken my opponent and achieve the victory.”
“This has been the best training camp of my career. We started camp in Mexico City, and we finished in Tijuana.”
“I’m ready to come back after a long layoff. Sometimes you start getting doubts when you spend so much time away from the ring. But as soon as training camp starts, the positive mentality returns."
Giovani Santillan
“Last time I fought at Pechanga Arena, it was a special experience. I can’t wait to fight in front of the hometown fans again. San Diego has always been my home, and the support I get from my people is truly humbling.”
“Luna is undefeated just like me, and I know neither one of us wants to let go of that ‘0.'”
Nico Ali Walsh
"I am fighting a rematch against the only guy who has taken me the distance, so I need to right that wrong. I have improved so much since then, and I can't wait to show that in the ring."
"My grandfather fought in this arena nearly 50 years ago, and I am honored to follow in his footsteps. Continuing his legacy in the ring is something I cherish."
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Kenneth “Llover Boy” Takes on “El Nica” Concepcion Aug 17 on Gerry Peñalosa’s Show @ the Winford Resort and Casino Manila (Analysis)
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 11 Jul 2025Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez won’t be Boxing’s best kept secret in 2026
Fri, 11 Jul 2025Undefeated Gabriela Tellez Returns July 18 at “Night of Champions” Live on DAZN
Fri, 11 Jul 2025Dushanbe hosts stacked fight card with Bakhodur Usmonov and Christopher Mouafo headlining IBA.Pro 8
Fri, 11 Jul 2025Shakur vs Zepeda & Morrell vs Khataev Fight Analysis
By Ralph Rimpell, Thu, 10 Jul 2025Peñalosa To Test "Lover Boy" Llover Versus Accomplished Panamanian Veteran Concepcion
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 10 Jul 2025USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Begins Brandenburg Cup Prep Camp
Thu, 10 Jul 2025Dream Fight: “Bam” Rodriguez vs “Puma” Martinez on the Horizon
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 10 Jul 2025Perez vs Vivas Headlines All Star Boxing's Prueba de Fuego Card on July 25
Thu, 10 Jul 2025Christy Martin Promotions & Ringside Ticket Inc. Present ‘Lopez Vs. Vargas’ Welterweight Battle
Thu, 10 Jul 2025Vegas Fight Experience Where Authentic Sparring Meets Cinematic Vegas Energy
Thu, 10 Jul 20254 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
Thu, 10 Jul 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS SIGNS FORMER WORLD CHAMPION TONY HARRISON
Thu, 10 Jul 2025FIGHT EMPIRE! TUAZON, ADOR, DE BARBO, JOMAR, AND MORE ARE READY FOR ACTION IN BRICO SANTIG'S EXCITING SHOW JULY 12 IN THAILAND
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 09 Jul 2025Shakur Stevenson and David Morrell Face "Crossroad Fights" This Saturday in Queens
By Ralph Rimpell, Wed, 09 Jul 2025