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Emanuel Navarrete vs. O’Shaquie Foster Unification
Showdown Set For Oct. 24
Two world champions in their primes will meet to determine
the No. 1 fighter at 130 pounds.
WBO/IBF champion Emanuel Navarrete and WBC king O’Shaquie
Foster will collide in a three-belt unification showdown
Saturday, Oct. 24, at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.
In the 10-round featherweight co-feature, Albert “Chop Chop”
Gonzalez takes on Fort Worth native and former two-time
world title challenger Edward Vazquez.
Additionally, super lightweight contender Frank Martin makes
his Top Rank debut in a 10-round battle against an opponent
to be announced shortly.
Navarrete-Foster, Gonzalez-Vazquez, Martin’s return, along
with an additional fight, will be streamed LIVE on DAZN
beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
“This fight brings together the two best fighters at 130
pounds in a matchup fans have been waiting for,” said Top
Rank President Todd duBoef. “Navarrete has won world titles
in three divisions and unified the belts, while Foster’s
recent victories over Stephen Fulton and Raymond Ford have
impressed the boxing world. The stakes don’t get any bigger,
as the winner will be heralded as the division’s king and
considered Fighter of the Year.”
Navarrete (40-2-1, 33 KOs) has spent nearly eight years in
the championship picture, a run that began with his December
2018 upset of Isaac Dogboe at 122 pounds. He later captured
titles at featherweight and super featherweight before
moving up to lightweight in May 2024, where Denys Berinchyk
spoiled his bid for a crown in a fourth division by split
decision. Back at 130, and with a nagging left-hand injury
finally behind him, Navarrete returned to form, dropping
Oscar Valdez three times and stopping him in six rounds in
their December 2024 rematch. His May 2025 bout against
Charly Suarez, initially ruled a technical decision win, was
later changed to a no contest. In February, he delivered a
career-best performance against hard-punching IBF
titleholder Eduardo Nuñez, who entered on a 19-fight winning
streak. Navarrete broke him down over 10 punishing rounds
before the bout was halted one second into the 11th.
Navarrete said, “I’m coming for everything, and I’m coming
with everything I’ve got. I’m a Mexican warrior. I fear
nothing and no one. I’m glad O’Shaquie Foster accepted the
fight, because I’m coming for that third world title. I
already have two—so why not three? On October 24, you’re
going to see a real Mexican warrior.”
Foster (25-3, 12 KOs) turned pro in 2012 and, after early
setbacks, saw his career take a decisive turn when he began
working with trainer Bobby Benton in 2017. A sustained run
of victories led to a February 2023 showdown with Rey
Vargas, whom he decisioned for the vacant WBC super
featherweight world title. He made a dramatic first defense
in Cancun that December, stopping Eduardo “Rocky” Hernandez
with 22 seconds left in the 12th, then signed with Top Rank
and outpointed Abraham Nova the following February. Foster
lost the belt to Robson Conceição by controversial split
decision in July 2024 before reclaiming it four months
later. He has since hit top form, dominating two-division
champion Stephen Fulton before returning home to Houston in
May and defeating former featherweight champion Raymond Ford
by majority decision.
Foster said, “This is the type of fight every fighter dreams
about, and I’m ready for the challenge. I’m also excited to
be back in San Antonio and fighting in front of all my fans,
both locally and around the world. The support I’ve received
throughout my career has meant everything to me, and I’m
looking forward to giving everyone another performance to
remember. I know I say this every time, but this truly is
the biggest fight of my career. I can’t wait to put on for
Texas and show the world what ‘Shock’ Foster is all about.”
Gonzalez (18-0, 11 KOs), from Moreno Valley, California,
trains under Robert Garcia. He began 2026 by stopping
Franklin Gonzalez in seven rounds, then dispatched Brandon
Chambers in the first round in March. In July, Gonzalez
faced former world title challenger Aaron Alameda and made
quick work of him, scoring a second-round knockout to
capture the vacant NABF featherweight title.
Gonzalez said, “I’m very grateful for this opportunity.
Every fight has been a step up, and we’ve been passing every
test, thank God. My goal is to become a world champion, and
now I get the chance to face a two-time world title
challenger and show everybody what I can do. I’m excited to
fight in San Antonio, too. It’s a great boxing city, and I’m
looking forward to showing out.”
Vazquez (20-3, 6 KOs) has twice fought for a world title
after first emerging as a serious contender with a narrow
points loss to Ford in 2022. He pushed unbeaten IBF junior
lightweight champion Joe Cordina to a majority decision in
Monte Carlo the following year, then dropped to
featherweight for a May 2025 shot at WBO champion Rafael
Espinoza, who stopped him in seven. Vazquez has since won
three straight, vanquishing Albeiro Paredes and Grimardi
Machuca in five before outpointing Daniel Lugo over 10 in
June.
Vazquez said, “I’m excited and grateful for this
opportunity. It’s going to be a fun, entertaining fight for
the fans. Gonzalez is a talented young fighter with a lot of
hype behind him, but I’m the first real test of his career.
I’ve worked too hard and come too far to let this
opportunity pass me by. Come October 24, I plan on showing
everyone there are levels to this.”
Martin (19-1-1, 13 KOs) turned pro in 2017 and broke out
five years later with a fourth-round stoppage of Romero Duno
and a 12-round triumph over then-unbeaten Michel Rivera. The
Detroit native, now training under Buddy McGirt, followed by
outboxing 2016 Olympian Artem Harutyunyan in July 2023
before challenging Gervonta Davis the following June. Since
moving up to 140 pounds, Martin has stopped former world
champion Rances Barthelemy in four rounds and battled Nahir
Albright to a 10-round draw in February.
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