Three Brutal Rounds: WBO World Jr. Featherweight Champion Emanuel Navarrete Stops Francisco De Vaca

WBO World Jr. Featherweight Champion Emanuel ‘Vaquero’ Navarrete is now one of the sport’s elite. Navarrete knocked out the previously unbeaten Francisco “Panchito” De Vaca in three rounds Saturday evening in front of 3,944 fans in the first-ever boxing card at Banc of California Stadium.

Navarrete (28-1, 24 KOs), who upset Isaac Dogboe to win the title and then defeated him in an immediate rematch, knocked down De Vaca (20-1, 6 KOs) in the second round and forced the referee to stop the fight after dishing out a sustained beating in the third.

“I want to thank my supporters, and second of all, I want to continue the tradition of Mexican boxing in Los Angeles. `I want to fill arenas and follow in the footsteps of Mexican legends,” Navarrete said. “I’m talking to {Top Rank} about fighting September 14 on the Tyson Fury card in Las Vegas. I want to thank Bob Arum and Zanfer Promotions for the opportunity.”

WBO President Francisco ‘Paco’ Valcárcel,Esq: “With all due respect to the other title holders in the 122 lbs. division, after his dominant knockout victory tonight I am more than convinced that Emanuel Navarrete 🇲🇽 is the best fighter in that weight class”

Said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum: “He’s Mexican. He’s proud to be Mexican. September 14 is Mexican Independence Day Weekend, and the best fighter in Mexico will be there defending his title.”

Photo by Mikey Williams / Top Rank