Navarrete is rated No. 2 by The Ring at junior lightweight, and Nunez is No. 4.

The fight is a significant one for the 130-pound division, and promoters Matchroom Boxing and Top Rank worked together to ensure it happened. If the fight is razor-thin with a disputed winner, expect a rematch. Or, a wide win should see the victor move on to seek title unification bouts against WBC champion O’Shaquie Foster and WBA titleholder Jazza Dickens.

Navarrete (39-2-1, 32 KOs, 1 NC) is a three-division champion and the more experienced fighter, but he’s coming into the clash with a mixed bag of results over his last four fights. “Vaquero” Navarrete hasn’t fought since May, when the defense of his WBO title yielded an inconclusive result. Navarrete originally defeated Charly Suarez by a technical decision, but the result was changed to No Contest after it was ruled that a punch caused the fight-ending cut near his eye, not a headbutt.

Before squaring off with Suarez, Navarrete, who has held titles at 118, 122 and 126 pounds, looked sluggish in a split decision loss to Denys Berinchyk for a vacant 135-pound title in May 2024. Navarrete knocked out Oscar Valdez in a 2024 rematch and settled for a majority draw against Robson Conceicao despite dropping him twice in November 2023.

Nunez (29-1, 27 KOs) has been a knockout machine in the Mexican boxing circuit and is now looking to show that he’s the real deal against a proven and more experienced champion. “Sugar” Nunez's first 27 victories came by way of stoppage but has had to settle for unanimous decision wins his last two times out, a victory in Japan against Masanori Rikiishi in May to land the vacant IBF title, and a defense in September against Christopher Diaz-Velez.

"I've always been clamoring to unify my titles, and finally, my dream is coming true. I want to tell everyone to expect a war between Mexicans, and that I'm willing to die fighting to defend what's mine. I have a lot of respect for Nunez, but this is my moment, and I’m twice as motivated. … I promise you a war and a great show. I'm going to win this fight." – Emanuel Navarrete

“I'm very excited and eager to be in the ring with Navarrete. He's a fighter I've always admired, and it will be an honor to unify the titles. Above all, it will be a great fight for all the fans. Mexico vs. Mexico is a guaranteed war, and this one will be no exception.” – Eduardo Nunez

Nunez is a -200 betting favorite, Navarrete a +155 underdog, according to DraftKings. A draw is listed at +1600.

The over/under on the number of rounds the fight is projected to last is set to 10.5 rounds. The over is set at -220, the under +160.

The Ring’s Mike Coppinger and Max Kellerman have made their predictions. Think you can beat them? Predict winners for prizes.

Tahmir Smalls (16-0, 11 KOs), a 26-year-old from Philadelphia, will take on the toughest opponent of his career to date when he faces former welterweight title challenger Abel Ramos (28-6-3, 22 KOs) in the co-main event.

Emiliano Vargas (16-0, 13 KOs), The Ring’s 2025 Prospect of the Year, looks to further prove his potential and promise in yet another step-up fight against Agustin Ezequiel Quintana (22-2-1, 13 KOs) in a 10-round junior lightweight matchup.

Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona

The main card will stream live on DAZN beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

Manouk Akopyan is The Ring’s lead writer. Follow him on X and Instagram: @ManoukAkopyan.