The World Boxing Organization (WBO) is intent to see Oscar Valdez’ interim status as champion resolved as the sanctioning body orders Valdez and WBO super featherweight champion Emanuel Navarrete to start negotiations for a mandated bout―which would entail a rematch of their 2023 bout. The negotiation period, which started on June 19th, will last a total of 20 days up until July 9th, after which a purse bid will be scheduled if the two fighters’ teams fail to muster up an agreement.
The WBO’s mandate follows up their decision from earlier this year to make the WBO interim super featherweight (130 lbs) title available after Mexican WBO champion Emanuel Navarrete (38-2-1, 31 KO’s) decided to move up to lightweight (135 lbs) to face Ukrainian contender Denys Berinchyk (19-0, 9 KO’s) for the vacant WBO 135 lbs title.
Oscar Valdez (32-2, 24 KO’s), also Mexican, won the interim title by defeating Liam Wilson (13-3, 7 KO’s) on March 29th, and may gain the opportunity to become a three-time world champion after missing out on becoming a champion again when he faced Navarrete last year in a unanimous decision (UD) loss. The WBO’s order further turns Valdez into a temporary mandatory challenger.
Navarrete eventually lost his May 18th clash against Berinchyk by split-decision (SD), but continued to remain the WBO champion at 130 lbs following his second career loss. Despite the WBO’s mandate, there are doubts as to whether he will actually fight Valdez.
The Mexican champion’s transition to lightweight might make it harder for him to return to 130 lbs, or at the very least will increase the chances of Navarrete heading into the fight weight-drained as opposed to his previous matches in the same weight class. Moving up and down weight has its effects, and Navarrete might not be able to adjust quickly to the changes that come with transitioning from division to division.
Secondly, Navarrete has already fought Valdez and become a champion at super featherweight, and might be more interested in pursuing a rematch with Berinchyk rather than participate in a rematch with Valdez―as he will have the opportunity to revenge his loss against the Ukrainian.
Vacating his WBO 130 lbs title is an option for Navarrete, but that decision would turn Navarrete into becoming a regular contender if he were to remain at lightweight. Given the 135 lbs division is stacked with talent, Navarrete’s road to becoming a world champion at lightweight would be fraught with danger and potential roadblocks to derail his career even further.
Whichever decision Navarrete plans to make going forward, Oscar Valdez appears to be in the best position a contender could find themselves in. Not only could he revenge his 2023 UD loss to Emanuel Navarrete―who is currently also suffering in form given he has drawn and lost in two out of his last three matches, but he could also be elevated to world champion if Navarrete decides to vacate his title.
