Liam Wilson’s date with destiny has arrived as the Australian star looks to become the nation’s third active world champion when he takes on Emanuel Navarrete at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
Wilson (11-1, 7KO) is aiming to hand Navarrete (36-1, 30KO) his first loss in over 10 years, while the Aussie’s rival is aiming to become a world champion at his third weight class and keep alive his absurd streak in world title fights, which sits at 10-0.
Follow Aussie Liam Wilson’s world title shot against Emanuel Navarrete in our live blog below!
A victory would mean Wilson joins Ebanie Bridges (female bantamweight) and Jai Opetaia (cruiserweight) as Australia’s current world champions in boxing.
The build-up had seemed relatively cordial, but the weigh-ins brought a storm of controversy as Wilson and his team made the stunning accusations that the scales were tampered with.
So much so that Wilson’s manager, Steve Scanlan, threatened to boycott the fight due to the murky situation that unfolded at the weigh-ins.
Regardless, Wilson is entering the fight as a serious outsider, with the Queenslander currently a $8.50 underdog with TAB.
Watch Australia’s own Liam Wilson take his shot at the WBO super-featherweight title against Emanuel Navarrete Live and Free Feb 4 on Kayo Freebies. Prelims from 11am, main card from 2pm. Join now and start streaming instantly >
Wilson: I’ll be next Aussie World Champ | 01:34
MORE WILSON v NAVARRETE
‘BULLS***’: World title weigh-in drama erupts as Aussie makes stunning scales claim
‘MAYBE WE DON’T FIGHT’: Aussie’s team demands scales scandal explained before world title bout
‘GOING TO BE A SURPRISE FOR HIM’: Aussie’s big advantage exposed in staredown as champ blinks first
‘I’M A F***ING FIGHTER’: Why George Rose is gambling $1 million on Aussie boxing underdog
‘THROWING BEER AT THE COPS’: Wild backstory, and promise to a dying father, fuelling Aussie title dream
Despite Navarrete being the overwhelming favourite, it hasn’t stopped former world champion Timothy Bradley believing Wilson could silence the entire arena in Arizona.
“The guy has a left hook that’s out of this world,” Bradley said.
“Any time he touches guys with it he flattens them. He’s got scary power in that left hand.”
FULL CARD
MAIN CARD (from 2pm AEDT)
Liam Wilson vs Emanuel Navarrete (for the vacant WBO junior lightweight title)
Arnold Barboza Jr vs Jose Pedraza (junior welterweight)
Richard Torrez Jr vs James Bryant (heavyweight)
PRELIMS (from 11:10am AEDT)
Andres Cortes vs Luis Melendez (junior lightweight)
Nico Ali Walsh vs Eduardo Ayala (middleweight)
Lindolfo Delgado vs Clarence Booth (junior welterweight)
Emiliano Vargas vs Francisco Duque (lightweight)
Follow Aussie Liam Wilson’s world title shot against Emanuel Navarrete in our live blog below!
