Navarrete, Magdaleno face totally different futures
Steve KimESPN
Los Angeles’ Banc of California Stadium is often a vacation spot for soccer, but it surely was boxing that took middle stage there Saturday.
Present 122-pound world titleholder Emanuel Navarrete notched one other dominant victory, and former junior featherweight world titleholder Jessie Magdaleno additionally received however suffered a nasty reduce that’s more likely to maintain him out of motion indefinitely.
Greater and higher alternatives await each Navarrete and Magdaleno after their decisive victories. What did we be taught from their performances on Saturday?
Is Navarrete the very best titleholder at 122 kilos?
Emanuel Navarrete, middle, defended his junior featherweight title with a formidable efficiency towards Francisco De Vaca on Saturday evening. Mikey Williams/High Rank
Navarrete acknowledged his case as soon as once more by stopping Francisco De Vaca in three fast rounds. “El Vaquero” is lengthy, lean and lanky. He’s an absolute windmill within the ring. De Vaca hit the deck within the second body from a three-punch mixture and was then overwhelmed by a torrent of leather-based within the subsequent spherical.
It was actually a dominant displaying, however De Vaca — regardless of his undefeated document coming in (20-Zero) — was nonetheless a really untested fighter. He got here into this contest with simply six stoppages to his credit score.
Navarrete did what a stable fighter is anticipated to do in conditions like this: dominate the lesser foe and put him away with ease. In that respect, he actually bought the job finished.
Navarrete (28-1, 24 KOs) has shortly established himself as one of many elite fighters on this division. He is a fan-friendly fighter who, along with his bodily dimensions and exercise, can be a tricky out.
However in case you have been to crown anybody as the very best fighter at 122, that honor belongs to unified world titlist Danny Roman, who owns the WBA and IBF belts.
What’s subsequent for Navarrete?
Punch stats
PunchesNavarreteDe VacaTotal landed9539Whole thrown248224%38%17%Jabs landed181Jabs thrown7936%23%3percentPower landed7738Energy thrown169188%46%20%– Courtesy of CompuBox
Minutes after Navarrete’s victory, High Rank introduced he can be making a fast turnaround. Navarrete can be a part of the Tyson Fury-Otto Wallin undercard in Las Vegas on Sept.14.
It is actually an enormous stage for Navarrete and a chance for him to proceed to construct his fan base, however he wants the best opponent.
An previous warhorse similar to former junior featherweight title challenger Cesar Juarez would possibly match the invoice on this stage. He is a recognizable title, and he brings a good type to the dance.
Nevertheless, I feel it should be somebody within the WBO rankings. Within the prime 5 are the likes of Marlon Tapales, Juan Miguel Elorde, Albert Pagara, Thomas Patrick Ward and Arnold Khegai.
However maintain this in thoughts: That is an elective protection, not a compulsory, so there’s actually no strain on Navarrete and his handlers to take the highest-ranked contender at this second.
What this Sept. 14 date will signify is a chance for Navarrete to proceed to construct upon his profile.
How will Magdaleno’s cuts affect his subsequent battle?
Jessie Magdaleno, proper, defeated Rafael Rivera however suffered a nasty reduce over his proper eye that can most likely maintain him out of the ring till subsequent 12 months. Mikey Williams/High Rank
Magdaleno (27-1, 18 KOs) defeated the sturdy Rafael Rivera (24-Four-2, 18 KOs) in a ninth-round technical choice by scores of 88-82, 89-81 and 89-81.
Although he dominated the motion towards Rivera, it got here at a worth, as late within the ninth spherical, he was struck by a stray elbow from Rivera and was reduce over his proper eye. That damage led to the battle being referred to as off at 2:55 of the ninth.
So simply how lengthy will Magdaleno be out?
Along with his reduce needing time to heal, it almost certainly will not be till the calendar turns to 2020 that we’ll see Magdaleno again in motion. However whether or not he fights once more this 12 months or the start of subsequent 12 months, it actually makes no distinction. He’s now a featherweight and can quickly be in line for a title shot, simply not in his subsequent battle.
Can Magdaleno develop into a titleholder once more?
Expertise has by no means been a problem with Magdaleno, however there have been questions on his self-discipline as an expert fighter. He struggled badly to make weight for his title WBO junior featherweight title protection towards Isaac Dogboe in April 2018, and he paid for it dearly as his fuel tank ran empty early on in a stoppage loss in Spherical 11.
Nevertheless, Magdaleno may give any of the present belt-holders a tricky evening.
“I miss being a world champion,” Magdaleno mentioned at a information convention days earlier than the battle. “However there is no doubt in my thoughts that I will be there once more.”
As for whom he needs particularly, the 27-year-old native of Las Vegas has two opponents in thoughts.
“I need the WBC [belt]. I need [titleholder] Gary Russell Jr. I would like to make that battle if I may. Or give me [featherweight world titlist] Leo Santa Cruz, and let’s make that battle occur right here in L.A.”
At present, Magdaleno is ranked fourth by the WBO and sixth within the WBC, so ultimately he can be getting that title shot at 126. Maybe one other large victory will solidify his standing within the division.
Elvis was within the constructing
There have been loads of prospects showcased on this High Rank card, however no person stood out and made fairly the assertion as “The Dominican Child” Elvis Rodriguez. The prospect improved to Three-Zero-1 with Three KOs by demolishing Jesus Gonzalez in lower than one spherical. The ability-punching southpaw floored Gonzalez early on with a blistering proper hook, and finally, the battle was waved off by referee Rudy Barragan after a flurry of punches later within the spherical.
Yeah, Gonzalez was “an opponent,” however in his earlier eight fights, he had by no means been knocked off his toes, a lot much less knocked out. On Saturday, he was completely destroyed.
Coach Freddie Roach, who works with Rodriguez every day on the Wild Card Boxing Membership, calls Rodriguez his finest prospect.