Emanuel Navarrete Promises Ferocious Run With ‘New Hand’

Emanuel Navarrete will attempt to win a world title in a fourth different weight class Saturday night when he takes on Denys Berinchyk for the vacant WBO lightweight title. 

Navarrete is a former 122, 126, and 130-pound beltholder and has been appearing in title fights since 2018. His next fight will mark his 14th career contest competing for or defending a world title, all with the WBO. 

Should Navarrete (38-1-1, 31 KOs) outlast the 2012 Ukrainian Olympian silver medalist Berinchyk (18-0, 9 KOs), “Vaquero” wants to become a unified champion for the first time in his 12-year career. 

Top Rank stablemates Shakur Stevenson owns the WBC lightweight title and Vasiliy Lomachenko has the IBF title. Gervonta Davis is the WBA’s 135-pound champion. 

“We’ve worked hard to get here,” Navarrete told BoxingScene. “We’ll be looking for those fights, without a doubt. There is a desire for those high-level fights. I feel like I need that in my career and that last vote of confidence and acceptance. Those fights will give me that. My work speaks for itself. I feel good, calm, strong, and confident.” 

The 29-year-old Navarrete must rise to the occasion following a majority draw against Robson Conceicao in November. Navarrete dropped Conceicao twice but let him stay in the fight, as Conceicao outlanded Navarrete 213 to 116 to avoid defeat. 

Navarrete suffered a left hand injury in the fight that required surgery. 

“We know that I have some deficiencies in my last fight. My hand did hurt, and that’s a fact, but that’s OK,” said Navarrete. “Some things held me back, but it’s OK. I am 100 percent now. And I am going to be like before, only a new Vaquero, and a new hand. With a more ferocious mentality, I am going to put myself in the best position at 135 pounds.”

The 36-year-old Berinchyk will look to spoil Navarrete’s plans while making his United States debut. Berinchyk is coming off a 12-round unanimous decision win against Anthony Yigit in August. 

“He’s dangerous,” said Navarrete. “He’s going to come with a lot of hunger and we are going to have to try and take care of that.” 

Navarrete vs. Berinchyk will take place at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego on ESPN. 

Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer, and broadcast reporter. He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, through email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com, or via www.ManoukAkopyan.com.