LAS VEGAS -- There is an epidemic in boxing. On a much too consistent basis a fighter is ranked in the top 10 by a sanctioning body and given a title shot while he isn't ranked in the top 15 by any of the other sanctioning bodies. This will be the case on Sept. 14 when WBO junior featherweight champion Emanuel Naverrete is challenged by Juan Miguel Elorde on ESPN+. Elorde is ranked second by the WBO but is outside the top 15 in the WBC, WBA, and IBF rankings.
It will be a quick turnaround for Navarrete (28-1, 24 KOs) who last fought just a month ago. That fight, like many of Navarrete's fights, ended in a knockout victory for the Mexican native. Navarrete is very tall for the junior featherweight division and also has a tremendous reach advantage on most of his opponents. That height and reach advantage allows him to fight well from the outside with his jab. Following that jab is a powerful left hook and a right hand he throws in a myriad of ways, finding success with it most of the time. The champion does tend to fall in with his punches though, giving up his height advantage, and sometimes backs straight up. However, his power punching and size have often helped cover up any flaws he has.
Navarrete began his career fighting in his native Mexico. He built up an impressive record with plenty of knockouts before making the jump to the United States. In his first fight stateside Navarrete took on Isaac Dogboe for Dogboe's WBO title. The challenger shocked many when he battered Dogboe to take his title and in their rematch Navarrete was able to stop Dogboe in the final round. He then handed Francisco De Vaca the first loss of his career via third round knockout. Now, almost exactly one month later, Navarrete will defend his title for the third time, this time against the one-loss Elorde.
Elorde (28-1, 15 KOs) is a quick fighter who could frustrate opponents with his fast jab if he used it more often. The 32-year-old Filipino is a patient fighter who waits for opportunities to counter his opponents. The issue is that he often waits, waits, and waits some more. When Elorde is letting his hands go he flashes a good left hook and a right hand that can be explosive at times. He likes to fight from mid range where he's always in position to counter but he doesn't do much from the outside and isn't a great inside fighter. While he will be at a power disadvantage against Navarrete he will actually have the height advantage, something that is rare for someone fighting Navarrete.
Elorde is the grandson of Gabriel 'Flash' Elorde but hasn't found the same level of success as his world champion grandfather. This fight will be Elorde's first shot at a world title and his level of opposition hasn't exactly been getting him ready for someone like Navarrete. There aren't really any notable fighters on Elorde's resume and most of his opponents would best be described as "average." At 32 years old this could end up being Elorde's only shot at a title, with a loss sending him back to fighting average to below average fighters in the Philippines.
This fight will feature an interesting contrast of styles. Elorde isn't a high volume puncher and instead chooses to pick his spots and counter opponents. In this fight he will need to get his jab going and be busier than usual unless he plans to eat five punches before throwing one of his own. Look for him to stick and move while waiting for opportunities to land his best punch, his right hand. As for Navarrete, he could control things from the outside with his jab and if he stays patient he could force Elorde to press the action more than he'd like to. Once he gets in the flow expect Navarrete to get inside and land his power punches as he looks to break Elorde down.
PREDICTION: It isn't a good idea to stand and trade with Emanuel Navarrete. It also isn't a good idea to wait for counter punching opportunities while he tees off on you. Juan Miguel Elorde is going to have his hands full with Navarrete and this fight won't end well for him as Navarrete will get the 10th round stoppage victory.
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| Navarrete, catching Isaac Dogboe with an uppercut |
Navarrete began his career fighting in his native Mexico. He built up an impressive record with plenty of knockouts before making the jump to the United States. In his first fight stateside Navarrete took on Isaac Dogboe for Dogboe's WBO title. The challenger shocked many when he battered Dogboe to take his title and in their rematch Navarrete was able to stop Dogboe in the final round. He then handed Francisco De Vaca the first loss of his career via third round knockout. Now, almost exactly one month later, Navarrete will defend his title for the third time, this time against the one-loss Elorde.
Elorde (28-1, 15 KOs) is a quick fighter who could frustrate opponents with his fast jab if he used it more often. The 32-year-old Filipino is a patient fighter who waits for opportunities to counter his opponents. The issue is that he often waits, waits, and waits some more. When Elorde is letting his hands go he flashes a good left hook and a right hand that can be explosive at times. He likes to fight from mid range where he's always in position to counter but he doesn't do much from the outside and isn't a great inside fighter. While he will be at a power disadvantage against Navarrete he will actually have the height advantage, something that is rare for someone fighting Navarrete.
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| Elorde, having his hands raised in victory |
This fight will feature an interesting contrast of styles. Elorde isn't a high volume puncher and instead chooses to pick his spots and counter opponents. In this fight he will need to get his jab going and be busier than usual unless he plans to eat five punches before throwing one of his own. Look for him to stick and move while waiting for opportunities to land his best punch, his right hand. As for Navarrete, he could control things from the outside with his jab and if he stays patient he could force Elorde to press the action more than he'd like to. Once he gets in the flow expect Navarrete to get inside and land his power punches as he looks to break Elorde down.
PREDICTION: It isn't a good idea to stand and trade with Emanuel Navarrete. It also isn't a good idea to wait for counter punching opportunities while he tees off on you. Juan Miguel Elorde is going to have his hands full with Navarrete and this fight won't end well for him as Navarrete will get the 10th round stoppage victory.
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