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:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 10 NOVEMBER 2025
By Eric Armit, Wed, 12 Nov 2025FLORES AND CORDINA PREDICT KO NIGHT IN STOCKTON
Wed, 12 Nov 2025Lightweight Prospect Charley Leigh Brown Added To Hunter Vs Frankham Card 5th December
Wed, 12 Nov 2025Mavericks' Cooper Flagg becomes the second 18-year-old player to score 25 points
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 12 Nov 2025Sit back and enjoy, "Bata' Reyes book is out
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 12 Nov 2025'THE RING: UNFINISHED BUSINESS': CHRIS EUBANK JR-CONOR BENN II FIGHT WEEK LAUNCHES WITH INTENSE LONDON FACE-OFF
Tue, 11 Nov 2025OKC Thunder Quickly Grabs League Lead; Competition Performing Per Formchart
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 11 Nov 2025Reyes rules 17th edition of Kamatyas FIDE Rated Rapid Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 11 Nov 2025SPORTS RECORDS 11: NONITO DONAIRE'S TWO KNOCKOUTS OF THE YEAR
By Maloney L. Samaco, Tue, 11 Nov 2025HIGHLAND BOXING PROMOTIONS OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON JEFF MAYWEATHER'S POSTPONED THAILAND VISIT
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 11 Nov 2025Robert Racasa Finishes 9th in World Memory Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 11 Nov 2025Luisito “Lindol” Espinosa and the Art of Playing Boxing
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 11 Nov 2025Island Time: Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Junior Middleweight World Title Unification Showdown Set For January 31 at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan
Tue, 11 Nov 2025Kyle Lowry becomes the 12th player with 20 seasons or more in the NBA history
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 11 Nov 2025Donaire awaits WBA decision
By Joaquin Henson, Mon, 10 Nov 2025