Navarrete vs. Valdez 2 and Espinoza counters. Ramirez 2: vacation resumptions in the desert

Part of the joy of the holiday season is seeing things you've seen before. Sitting down to watch It's a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Story, Elf, or another favorite Christmas movie is as much a part of the holiday festivities as singing or unwrapping gifts.

On Saturday night, two title fights that are also rematches will headline an intriguing card in Phoenix, Arizona. Rafael Espinoza (25-0, 21 KO) will defend his featherweight title against Robeisy Ramirez (14-2, 9 KO). The main event will see Emanuel Navarrete (38-2-1, 31 KO) and Oscar Valdez (32-2, 24 KO) face off for Navarrete's junior lightweight championship.

Rafael Espinoza was a 15-1 underdog in the first clash against former two-time Cuban Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez in December 2023. Espinoza won a majority decision to take the title from Ramirez. Espinoza overcame a fifth-round knockdown to turn the tide in the fight, outscoring Ramirez 103-33 in rounds 10-12 and scoring a knockdown of his own in the twelfth round. The hitting stats for the entire fight were equally outlandish; Espinoza threw 995 punches to Ramirez's 376 over the twelve rounds.

Ramirez is a slight favorite at -125 odds to avenge his loss to Espinoza.

Although Ramirez is not looking for revenge against Espinoza, he does have another potential opponent, Naoya Inoue. If “The Monster” decides to move up to the featherweight division next year and aims to become a five-division world champion, Robeisy Ramirez will be waiting.

“I saw Inoue in person. He is a great fighter and a legend. But my impression is that he's small for 126 pounds, and I'm not even that big for my division. Neither does he. It's a bit small to progress, and at some point, you reach your limits. There is only one Manny Pacquiao. No matter how good you box, at some point the weight becomes too much and the power of the guys in the divisions above you becomes too much. My boxing is strong and I feel like I can end Inoue's story.

Before Ramirez can worry about Inoue, he has his hands full with Rafael Espinoza. Espinoza has fought once since upsetting Ramirez last December, beating Sergio Chirino Sanchez by fourth-round technical knockout in June. Only twice in his career has Espinoza fought in the seventh round (the first fight with Ramirez and a ten-round unanimous decision victory over Carlos Ornelas in January 2021). Although Espinoza turned professional six years before Ramirez and has nine additional professional fights, Ramirez has fought more rounds as a professional (104) than Espinoza (91).

Ramirez says he will show the best version of himself on Saturday. Espinoza believes he has two major advantages in the fight. “Yes, we all know my height advantage, but I also have another advantage, and that is my heart. So I'm going to show my heart by giving it my all in the ring this Saturday.

Emanuel Navarrete defeated Oscar Valdez the first time these two Mexican fighters faced each other in August 2023. Valdez was a defeated warrior, absorbing Navarrete's punishment in a way that was both honorable and uncomfortable. The fight was exciting, although Navarrete took a big victory by unanimous decision.

While Valdez has an excellent record with just two losses in 34 professional fights, both defeats have come in his last four fights. Shakur Stevenson dispatched Valdez to hand him his first defeat in April 2022. A decision victory over Adam Lopez and a knockout of Liam Wilson in his most recent fight ended Valdez's loss to Navarrete.

For Valdez, who turns 34 in a few weeks, if he doesn't win on Saturday, many will wonder if he should hang up his gloves. On Wednesday, Valdez responded to that sentiment. “No-no, it’s a win-win for me. I don't think about retirement because I am already a very optimistic person. Very positive thinker. There is no reason to think about retirement. As soon as you start thinking about retirement, you should retire. This should not be on your mind. In my mind right now, I love this sport way too much. “I like him much more than my opponent. I bet you he doesn't like it like I do.''

Emanuel Navarrete is the champion, a 2 ½ to 1 favorite in this fight, and has already beaten Valdez, but what makes Saturday's rematch so intriguing is that Navarrete also didn't fare well in his recent fighting. Navarrete has fought twice since his victory over Valdez, with a draw and a loss in those bouts. Last November, Navarrete fought Robson Conceicao to a majority draw before moving up in weight in his most recent fight in May. Navarrete failed to become a four-division champion, losing to Denys Berinchyk in a fight for a vacant 135-pound championship. Returning to the 130-pound weight class, Navarrete looks to get back in the win column Saturday night.

Many Mexican fans will be present at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. For each man, facing another Mexican fighter in front of a crowd of their countrymen should motivate Valdez and Navarrete to deliver another great fight.

This Saturday evening, gather around the big TV and enjoy the gift of two superb revenges.