Emanuel Navarrete-Joet Gonzalez Card Bumped Up To October 15

Just like the Teofimo Lopez-George Kambosos Jr. fight, Emanuel Navarrete and Joet Gonzalez have found themselves on a new date for their matchup.

Navarrete (34-1, 29 KOs) and Gonzalez (24-1, 14 KOs) are now set for Friday, October 15. The boxers were supposed to go head-to-head on October 16, but the Pechanga Arena in San Diego – where the fight will take place — was not available for promoter Top Rank. It was reportedly bumped for the Grammy award-winning country duo Dan and Shay.

Emanuel Navarrette’s signature punch- uppercut right down the middle 🔥🔥🔥🔥#NavaretteDiaz #Boxing #TopRank pic.twitter.com/LjyydEDPqQ

— Carolina (@CarolinaTeague_) April 25, 2021

Navarrete, of San Juan Zitlaltepec Mexico, will be making a mandated defense of his WBO belt against Gonzalez, of Glendora, California, who is the No. 1 contender for the strap.

This will be Navarrete’s second defense of his WBO featherweight title since he won on points against undefeated Ruben Villa last October in Las Vegas.

Gonzalez’s sole loss comes from former WBO featherweight champion Shakur Stevenson who has an untouched 16-fight winning streak. Stevenson won on all three scorecards for the then-vacant WBO 126-pound crown in October 2019 in Nevada.

The 16,000-seat arena will be scaled to half for the fight card.

Back in September 2020, Gonzalez told Boxing Scene that he would give Navarrete a good fight if given the chance.

“I think if Navarrete gets a belt, I’d give him a great fight. I’d love to fight (WBA featherweight titlist) Xu Can as well,” he said. “He’s like a punching machine. A fight with him will be exciting for the fans.”