The WBO Orders Negotiations Between Navarrete and Valdez for Jr. Lightweight Title Unification
In a move to consolidate the WBO super-featherweight (Jr. Lightweight) championship, the World Boxing Organization (WBO) has ordered negotiations between the reigning champion, Emanuel Navarrete, and the interim titleholder, Oscar Valdez.
Both Mexican fighters are promoted by Top Rank’s Bob Arum, and the WBO has given their respective parties 20 days to reach an agreement for the title unification bout. If they fail to do so, a purse bid process will commence, with a minimum acceptable bid set at $150,000.
The 29-year-old Navarrete recently fell short in his bid to become a four-division champion, losing a split decision to Denys Berinchyk in a fight for the vacant WBO lightweight title. Since his victory over Valdez in August 2023, Navarrete has also fought to a majority draw with the Brazilian Olympic gold medalist Robson Conceicao.
Valdez, 33, secured the interim WBO super-featherweight title in March by stopping Liam Wilson in seven rounds.
“According to the WBO’s letter to Top Rank, the sanctioning body is ‘ordering the commencement of negotiations between WBO Jr. Lightweight Champion, Emanuel Navarrete and the WBO Interim Jr. Lightweight Champion, Oscar Valdez to terminate the Interim status in the referenced division.'”
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