The WBO has decided that Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete (pictured) will retain his title as WBO junior lightweight (130 pounds) champion in the wake of his split decision loss to Denys Berinchyk, on Saturday, May 18th in San Diego. However, as to Navarrete’s status as WBO super champion and those rights and privileges, the WBO reserved its right to decide the matter in the future.
WBO’s statement of facts: On December 8, 2018, Navarrete won his first WBO title (junior featherweight) by defeating Isaac Dogboe via unanimous decision in New York. Months later, Navarrete made his first successful title defense against Dogboe in a rematch, this time winning by stoppage in round twelve in Tucson, Arizona. Thereafter, Navarrete made successful defenses against Francisco De Vaca, Juan Miguel Elorde, Francisco Horta, and Jeo Santisima. All these defenses were won by KO or TKO.
Navarrete then moved up to the featherweight division. In his first attempt at becoming a two-weight class champion, Navarrete defeated Ruben Villa via unanimous decision for the vacant WBO title [the prior champion, Shakur Stevenson had just moved up in weight] in Las Vegas, Nevada. During his reign as WBO featherweight champion, Navarrete successfully defended his title on three occasions, against Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz, Joet Gonzalez and Eduardo Baez.
Navarrete continued making history by moving up to his third weight division in the junior lightweight division, vying for the vacant WBO championship [Stevenson had again moved up in weight] against Liam Wilson. Navarrete was in the verge of suffering his first defeat in over ten years, but the Mexican warrior redeemed himself and defeated Wilson via dramatic TKO in round nine in Glendale, Arizona.
In light of Vaquero’s achievement in becoming a three-division WBO champion, in October 2023, the WBO Executive Committee unanimously voted in favor of granting Navarrete “WBO super champion” status with the rights and privileges conferred by such designation. Navarrete continued his winning path by defeating former WBO and two-division champion, Oscar Valdez via unanimous decision in a back-and-forth, toe-to-toe action fight. Thereafter Navarrete fought a majority draw against former Olympic gold medalist Robson Conceicao.
Navarrete then attempted to become a four-division WBO champion, fighting for the vacant WBO lightweight title previously held by the undisputed world champion Devin Haney. The Mexican faced world-rated contender Denys Berinchyk in a highly contested matchup, which resulted in a split decision loss to Berinchyk. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Navarrete/Berinchyk bout was sanctioned subject to specific provisions, most notably (i) Navarrete was allowed to enter the ring against Berinchyk as the WBO junior lightweight champion; (ii) if Navarrete was successful, he would have ten days to decide whether to keep his 130 or 135-pound WBO title, and (iii) the WBO reserved its right to determine whether Navarrete’s 130-pound title would be declared vacant in the event of a loss against Berinchyk.
On June 4, 2024, Navarrete submitted an email communication confirming his decision to return to the junior lightweight division, and asked to retain his status as champion in that weight class.
The WBO agreed with Navarrete’s request. Here is the WBO decision [lightly edited for clairty]:
“There is precedence in identical scenarios whereby a WBO champion retains his [or her] status when suffering a defeat in a higher or lower weight class considering the totality of the circumstances of such a loss. WBO champions like Canelo Alvarez and Amanda Serrano have retained their status as WBO champions considering their overall merits and accomplishments as well as the circumstances of their respective losses.
“In Navarrete’s case, his bout against Berinchyk was highly competitive as reflected by the official scorecards in a split decision victory in favor of the Ukrainian. [It would be different] if Navarrete would have suffered a knockout or technical knockout. Furthermore, we must take into consideration that Navarrete was fighting in his fourth weigh category. He has moved progressively from 122 through 135 and almost accomplished a historic feat in his career. Navarrete had been on a winning streak lasting over twelve years.
“Moreover, his achievements included three-division championships (122, 126 and 130 pounds); a pro record of 38-2-1 with 31 Kos and ten title defenses combined
“Therefore, having considered these facts, [the WBO determined] is in the best interests of boxing and the WBO junior lightweight division to grant Navarrete’s request to retain his status as champion. However, the Navarrete/Berinchyk bout was sanctioned with the condition that in the event Navarrete returned to the junior lightweight division as WBO champion, he must face WBO interim champion, Oscar Valdez within 120 days after the Navarrete/Berinchyk fight.
"As to Navarrete’s WBO super champion (rights and privileges) status, the WBO will decide the matter in a separate ruling. [For now], Navarrete and Valdez are ordered to commence negotiations and have twenty to reach an agreement to fight. [If not,] purse bids will be ordered in accordance with WBO Regulations.”
