Emanuel Navarrete (40-2-1, 33 KOs, 1 NC) and O’Shaquie Foster (25-3, 12 KOs) will clash for the WBC, WBO, and IBF super featherweight world titles.
Their bout headlines a card promoted by Top Rank at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, TX. Fight fans around the world can catch the action live on DAZN. Navarrete will be putting his WBO and IBF world titles on the line and Foster’s WBC championship is also at stake.
Both men spoke at a press conference ahead of their Oct. 24 contest. Below is some of what they had to say.
Emanuel Navarrete vs. O’Shaquie Foster press conference quotes
Emanuel Navarrete
“We all know the importance of this fight, of winning and unifying the titles,” said Navarrete through an interpreter. “We know exactly how important a victory would be. We’ve done the hard work, and I’m coming into this fight at 100 per cent. I think it’s going to be a good weekend.”
“We corrected certain things and worked differently, from nutrition to the type of preparation. I also had to make some adjustments personally. But the most important part is that we really concentrated and stuck to the game plan, and I think the result will be resounding.”
O’Shaquie Foster
“I’ve been chasing this fight for almost three years, ever since I signed with Top Rank,” said Foster. “I knew this was the fight I wanted. I wanted to challenge myself. I knew he was a great champion, and now we’re here.”
“We’ve been asking for it. We’ve been calling for it. We’ve been getting no, no, no, not ready, or whatever. But now we’re here. We got him in the position we want him, and we just got to seal the deal Saturday.”
The Big Fight Weekend verdict
Prediction by Big Fight Weekend’s Ricky Carroll: Navarrete has mixed at a high level, but has sometimes not produced his best; however, last-time out, he was at his best against Eduardo Núñez. He’s a high-volume puncher and carries real knockout power. He presents a complex puzzle for any opponent, with his ability to punch from awkward angles making him difficult to read.
He’s more than capable of fighting from both stances, another attribute which makes him difficult to read. When he’s at his best, he works off his power jab, which also helps him control the distance effectively.
Foster is at his best when moving in and out of range, controlling the tempo and distance in his fights. He’s also adept at switching stances to confuse his opponents. His jab is another of his best assets, and against Navarrete it will be key who can establish theirs first. Foster has proven he carries power late into fights, and is prepared to meet his opponents and exchange bombs.
Both work well when they get their jab going, and it feels like it will be a key weapon in this fight. When either gets into a groove during their fights, they are difficult to beat, and it feels like whoever settles quickest will be difficult to beat. Despite Foster’s obvious attributes and his impressive will to win, we are backing the unorthodox style of “Vaquero” to become a three-belt champion and win by decision.
Full press conference
For the press conference in its entirety, click here or the play button below. Video courtesy of Top Rank.
Other boxing content
Robert Garcia tips Albert Gonzalez to replicate world title success of “Bam” Rodriguez
Dalton Smith vs. Alberto Puello press conference quotes and fight prediction
Emanuel Navarrete reveals his game plan for O’Shaquie Foster
Featured image credit
Top Rank