In Top Rank's ten-round co-feature on ESPN on Saturday, featherweight Abraham Nova (20-0, 14 KOs) will look to extend his unbeaten record against 2012 Dominican Olympian William Encarnacion (19-1, 15 KOs). Nova weighed in at 126.75 pounds for the fight while Encarnacion was 127. Nova is promoted by Top Rank, Murphy's Boxing and 12 Rounds Promotions. Nova, 28 years-old has wins over Weusi Johnson (1-0), Martin Nicolas Matamala (9-2), Andres Zepeda (7-1), Hassan Nourdine (9-2), Sulaiman Segawa (11-1), Bryan Pelaez (8-2), Mario Ezequiel Sayal Lozano (18-2-1), Luis Ronaldo Castillo (20-3), Avery Sparrow (10-1) and his bout when Nova won a unanimous decision over Richard Pumicpic on August 14, 2021 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Encarnacion, 33 has wins over Anyelo Munoz (10-2), Alan Guzman (16-1), John Casado (17-1), Danny Aguero (11-1), Marlembron Acuna (4-1), Milner Marcano (10-2), and Eliezer Aquino (19-2-1). In his last outing, Encarnacion won a unanimous decision over Donny Garcia on December 17, 2020. This will be Encarnacion's American debut.
At Thursday's press conference, this is what Nova and Encarnacion had to say:
Abraham Nova
“I'm excited because I’ll be fighting [in Verona, New York,] very close to my hometown (Albany). You guys are going to see an action-packed fighter. I’m ready to put on a great performance. I’m looking for a big win on Saturday night."
“I want to shine and make a statement this Saturday. I want to send a message to the featherweight division. By the end of this year, I want to be fighting for a world title. I would love to challenge Emanuel ‘Vaquero’ Navarrete for his title."
“For two months straight, we had a game plan for an opponent, and at the last minute, we had a change of opponent. What I have seen from my new opponent is that he is a very good fighter. He has the skills and a high ring IQ. He is an Olympian. It doesn’t matter. We have one goal, and that is to win by all means necessary."
William Encarnacion
“I've been waiting for this moment for a long time. I am thrilled about this opportunity."
“It has been a good preparation. I didn't even have a fight date when they called me for this opportunity, but I always keep training in the gym. I'm ready to go this Saturday.”
ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+, Saturday at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT
Joe Smith Jr. vs. Steve Geffrard, 12 rounds, Smith's WBO Light Heavyweight Title
Abraham Nova vs. William Encarnacion, 10 rounds, featherweight
ESPN+, 7:45 p.m. ET/4:45 p.m. PT
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