Emanuel Navarrete retained his WBO super bantamweight title again at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, dominating overmatched opponent Francisco De Vaca and stopping the previously unbeaten challenger in the third round.
Navarrete (28-1, 24 KO) came out of nowhere last December to upset Isaac Dogboe and win the 122-pound belt, and repeated with an even more dominant performance in their May rematch. Coming off of those wins, Navarrete was given something of a softer touch in De Vaca (20-1, 6 KO), who had an “0” but a fluffy record built fighting at home in Phoenix.
The 24-year-old De Vaca came in more unknown than anything, though, and there was a chance he might have surprised people, as Navarrete did nine months ago. But it just wasn’t there. De Vaca didn’t have the power to bother Navarrete, who charged forward and did consistent damage, dropping De Vaca in the second round and finishing him off with a third round barrage that ended when referee Raul Caiz Sr stopped the fight at 1:54.
Navarrete, 24, is now ready to make a very quick turnaround and return Sept. 14 as part of the Tyson Fury-Otto Wallin card in Las Vegas. It’s a good spot for Navarrete, who has some star potential as a Mexican fighter with an aggressive style.
“He is Mexican, he’s proud to be Mexican. Sept. 14 is Mexican Independence weekend, and the best fighter in Mexico will be there defending his title,” Bob Arum confirmed after the bout.
Credit: badlefthook.com
