Emanuel Navarrete is preparing for a rematch…
The 29-year-old Mexican professional boxer will fight Oscar Valdez on December 7 in Phoenix, per ESPN sources.
Navarrete dominated Valdez in an August 2023 fight that didn’t beg for a rematch.
Navarrete (38-2-1, 31 KOs) will return to 130 pounds for his third defense of the WBO junior lightweight title.
Hailing from Mexico, he moved up to 135 pounds for a May title fight vs. Denys Berinchyk but dropped a split decision in a lackluster performance.
Navarrete was attempting to become a four-division champion. Prior to the loss, his previous fight was a November draw with Robson Conceicao.
Navarrete’s most recent win came via unanimous decision over Valdez.
Valdez (32-2, 24 KOs) has competed once since the lopsided loss to his countryman, a seventh-round TKO over Liam Wilson in March.
Valdez, 33, is a former 126- and 130-pound titleholder. He’s ESPN’s No. 4 junior lightweight while Navarrete is No. 1.