FightPost Boxer of the Week- Emanuel Navarrete

FightPost Boxer of the Week- Emanuel Navarrete

By Michael Richards 

In the week that saw the return of pound 4 pound number 1, Vasyl Lomachenko, my boxer of the week came from the undercard on the same show in New York. It was 23-year-old Mexican, Emanuel Navarrete who takes the honour, after a stand up performance to dethrone much-loved champion, Isaac Dogboe over 12 rounds.

Going into the fight, it was Dogboe who was fancied to retain his belt, however the young Mexican challenger and more specifically, his size proved too much on the night for the previously unbeaten champion. The early rounds started well, with both men prepared to trade, seeing Navarrete suffer a cut on top of his head in round 2. Dogboe continued in his usual explosive fashion, targeting the body of the Mexican. This wasn’t enough to deter Navarrete, who found a home for his left hand on numerous occasions, causing the swelling of Dogboe’s right eye in round 6.

The challenger seemed buoyed by his success and unnerved by the occasion, continuing to land heavy blows as the fight wore on. Dogobe did have him on the canvas in the 9th round, however the referee ruled it an illegal punch, with it landing round the back of the head. By round 11, Dogboe’s face was badly swollen, with his left eye almost completely closed over. The champion seemed to be on unsteady legs, with not let up from Navarrete and his consistent pressure.

The judges scorecards of 116-112, 116-112 and 115-113 were no surprise and caused great delight in the Navarrete corner. Having never fought outside of Mexico, the young challenger showed calmness beyond his years and personified that famous Mexican style of fighting. The rest of the super bantamweight division are on notice, the man they call ‘Vaquero’ is coming.