2024 has proven to be a phenomenal year for boxing with Turki Al-Alshikh’s involvement in the sport resulting in a plethora of blockbuster events that have captivated fans around the globe. Yet, the Saudi is not a necessity when it comes to manufacturing major cards and Top Rank now appears poised to end the year with bang without the assistance of boxing’s newfound catalyst.
Three-division world champion Emanuel Navarette (38-2-1) attempted to claim a title at a fourth weight earlier this year but came up short against Denys Berinchyk this May, resulting in back-to-back fights without a win for the Mexican.
That last win came in a dominant performance against former WBC super-featherweight champion Oscar Valdez (32-2), who has since become the WBO interim title-holder and therefore has earnt his shot at a rematch with the out-of-sorts ‘Vaquero’.
Meanwhile, Rafael Espinoza (25-0) pulled off one of the upsets of the year when he outpointed Robeisy Ramirez (14-2) last December, edging a majority-decision against the two-time Olympic gold medallist to claim the WBO featherweight title.
Since then, Espinoza has made one successful defence of the belt to prove that his victory was no fluke, knocking out Sergio Sanchez in June, whilst Cuba’s Ramirez got back to winning ways with a stoppage win of his own – halting Brandon Benitez, also in June.
Now, Boxing Scene have reported that both rematches will take place on the same card for the respective WBO super-featherweight and featherweight world titles.
“The Rafael Espinoza-Robeisy Ramirez WBO featherweight title rematch will not go to a purse bid tomorrow, as Top Rank reached an agreement with both fighters before the deadline, per reporting from Lance Pugmire of BoxingScene.
“Espinoza and Ramirez will be the co-main event on the Dec. 7 Top Rank card in Arizona, headlined by the rematch between Emanuel Navarrete and Oscar Valdez.”
The imminent announcement of the bill will add to what is already set to be an action-packed end to the calendar, as December plays host to Davis-Roach, Fury-Usyk II and Inoue-Goodman already.
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