Emanuel Navarrete is as busy of a fighting world champion as you're ever going to see.
The Mexican warrior will start his 2021 journey Saturday night, when he defends his WBO featherweight world title against Christopher Diaz at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Fla. This will mark Navarrete's first defense of the featherweight strap that he won last October via a unanimous decision victory over previously undefeated Ruben Villa.
Navarrete previously made five title defenses of the WBO junior featherweight championship all by stoppage in a nine-month span.
"I am a fighter who likes to face the best, and my challenge now is to beat the tough 'Pitufo' Diaz,” Navarrete said in a press release statement.
Added Top Rank chairman Bob Arum: “The sensational Emanuel Navarrete wanted a formidable opponent for his first featherweight title defense, and Christopher Diaz fits the bill."
After losing to Shakur Stevenson by unanimous decision in a world title shot in April 2020, Diaz has defeated Adeilson Dos Santos and Jason Sanchez with a pair of unanimous decisions.
"I have once again been given an opportunity to become a world champion, but there is something very different this time around. I will not fail," Diaz vowed. "I will bring that much-needed world title to Puerto Rico."
The co-main event to Navarrete-Diaz will pit undefeated Edgar Berlanga, who's 16-0 with 16 first-round knockouts, against Demond Nicholson in an eight-round matchup.
Here's everything you need to know about the Navarrete vs. Diaz card.
Navarrete vs. Diaz start time
- Date: Saturday, April 24
- Time: 10:00 p.m. ET/3 a.m. BST
- Main event: 11:30 p.m. ET/4:30 a.m. BST
The Navarrete vs. Diaz main card launches at 10 p.m. ET/3 a.m. BST. Navarrete and Diaz should make their ring walks at around 11:30, although that approximation depends on the length of the earlier bouts.
Navarrete vs. Diaz TV channel and live stream
- U.S.: ESPN, ESPN+
In the United States, one can watch Navarrete vs. Diaz on ESPN or live stream it on ESPN+.
Where is Navarrete vs. Diaz?
The Navarrete-Diaz main card will take place at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Fla. Navarrete has never fought in Florida. Meanwhile, Diaz has fought in Kissimmee, Fla. five times, but never at this particular venue.
Emanuel Navarrete record and bio
- Nationality : Mexican
- Age : 26
- Height : 5-7
- Reach : 72 inches
- Total fights : 34
- Record : 32-1, 1 No contest with 27 KOs
Christopher Diaz record and bio
- Nationality : Puerto Rican
- Age : 26
- Height : 5-6
- Reach : 64 inches
- Total fights : 28
- Record : 26-2 with 16 KOs
Navarrete vs. Diaz card
- Emanuel Navarrete vs. Christopher Diaz for Navarrete's WBO Featherweight title
- Edgar Berlanga vs. Demond Nicholson; Super Middleweights
- Josue Vargas vs. Willie Shaw; Junior welterweights
- Joseph Adorno vs. Jamaine Ortiz; Lightweights
- Orlando Gonzalez vs. Juan Antonio Lopez; Featherweights
- Xander Zayas vs. Demarcus Layton; Welterweights
- Jeremy Adorno vs. Ramiro Martinez; Junior Featherweights
- Jaycob Goomez vs. Mobley Villegas; Junior Lightweights