In a significant matchup for the super featherweight division, Emanuel Navarrete and O'Shaquie Foster are officially set to face off on Saturday, October 24, at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. This bout will be broadcast live on DAZN and features the unification of the WBO, IBF, and WBC titles, making it one of the most anticipated fights in the 130-pound category.
Top Rank President Todd duBoef emphasized the importance of this fight, stating, "The stakes don’t get any bigger," as the winner will be crowned as the undisputed champion of the division. This clash not only signifies the battle for supremacy at 130 pounds but also positions the victor as a strong contender for Fighter of the Year honors.
Emanuel Navarrete, boasting a professional record of 40 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw with 33 knockouts, has been on a remarkable trajectory since his stunning victory over Isaac Dogboe in December 2018. After claiming titles in both the featherweight and super featherweight divisions, Navarrete solidified his status with a decisive win over IBF champion Eduardo Nuñez earlier this year. He is approaching this unification bout with a fierce determination, stating, "I’m coming for everything, and I’m coming with everything I’ve got. I’m a Mexican warrior. I fear nothing and no one. On October 24, you’re going to see a real Mexican warrior."
On the other side of the ring, O'Shaquie Foster, the WBC titleholder with a record of 25 wins and 3 losses, is also entering this fight with momentum. Foster had a breakout year, highlighted by a convincing victory over two-division champion Stephen Fulton and a solid performance against former featherweight titleholder Raymond Ford in May. He expressed his excitement for the upcoming challenge, declaring, "This is the type of fight every fighter dreams about, and I’m ready for the challenge. I know I say this every time, but this truly is the biggest fight of my career. I can’t wait to put on for Texas and show the world what ‘Shock’ Foster is all about."
The card also features an intriguing co-main event, where Albert "Chop Chop" Gonzalez (18-0, 11 KOs) will take on Edward Vazquez (20-3, 6 KOs) in a 10-round featherweight bout. Gonzalez is coming off a second-round knockout victory over Aaron Alameda, which earned him the NABF title. He is eager to continue his ascent in the boxing world, stating, "Every fight has been a step up, and we’ve been passing every test." Vazquez, however, is prepared to challenge Gonzalez, asserting, "I’m the first real test of his career. Come October 24, I plan on showing everyone there are levels to this."
Additionally, super lightweight contender Frank Martin (19-1-1, 13 KOs) will make his Top Rank debut on the same card, looking to bounce back from a draw earlier this year against Nahir Albright. The event promises to deliver an exciting night of boxing, with Navarrete and Foster headlining a stacked card.
Fans can catch the Navarrete-Foster unification fight, along with the Gonzalez-Vazquez clash and Martin's return, streaming live on DAZN starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Tickets for this highly anticipated event will go on sale on Friday, September 11, at 10 a.m. CT via Ticketmaster.com.
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