When it came time for the traditional post-press conference face-off, Emanuel "Vaquero" Navarrete smiled. He is excited to be home.
Navarrete (29-1, 25 KOs) will make his fourth WBO junior featherweight world title defense of 2019 Saturday against Francisco "Panchito" Horta (20-3-1, 10 KOs) from the Auditorio GNP Seguros in Puebla, Mexico (ESPN+, 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT). Navarrete, who hails from San Juan Zitlaltepec, Distrito Federal, Mexico, won the world title from Isaac Dogboe last December and since taken the mantle as boxing's most active world champion.
"We are friends outside the ring, but I am sorry: Horta will pay for all the sacrifices that I have made during training camp. I am going to take it all out this Saturday on 'Panchito.'" said Navarrete
"I'm just a few days away from completing my first year as world champion. I have to defend this belt that has cost me so much sacrifice, and I will not let anyone take it away from me. I can assure you that I will knock Horta out. That's what I always try to do every time I get in the ring. He is the challenger, and I'm the champion, but I'm on the hunt. I'm going after Horta!"
"I'm just a few days away from completing my first year as world champion. I have to defend this belt that has cost me so much sacrifice, and I will not let anyone take it away from me. I can assure you that I will knock Horta out. That's what I always try to do every time I get in the ring. He is the challenger, and I'm the champion, but I'm on the hunt. I'm going after Horta!"
"I'm excited to fight here in Mexico. We prepared very hard, and I'm looking forward to a great fight with Gonzalez."
In the co-feature, Jerwin "Pretty Boy" Ancajas will make the eighth defense of his IBF junior bantamweight world title against Miguel Gonzalez. In the opening bout on the ESPN+ stream, three-time world title challenger Miguel Marriaga will battle Alfredo Mejia Vargas in an eight-rounder at featherweight.
"I am one of the longest-reigning champions in boxing, and I don't plan to end my reign yet. I will remain a world champion for a long time." said Jerwin Ancajas
"I am one of the longest-reigning champions in boxing, and I don't plan to end my reign yet. I will remain a world champion for a long time." said Jerwin Ancajas