Emanuel Navarrete vs. Oscar Valdez 2: Picks, Predictions and Odds

Emanuel Navarrete and Oscar Valdez meet for the second time in just over a year at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, on Saturday night.

Navarrete won the first meeting convincingly via unanimous decision back in August of 2023, prevailing 119–109, 118–110 and 116–112 on the judges' scorecards in the battle between the two Mexicans.

However, that was his last victory as he has since been held to a draw by Robson Conceicao before falling short in a bid to become a four-weight world champion with a split decision defeat to Denys Berinchyk when challenging for the vacant WBO lightweight title.

Valdez has only fought once since, stopping Liam Wilson in the seventh round, and he now has another opportunity to take the WBO junior lightweight title from Navarrete.

Emanuel Navarrete vs. Oscar Valdez 2 betting picks and predictions

Emanuel Navarrete to win (-320)

Navarrete, known as Vaquero, won the first fight by a wide margin and it is hard to see how Valdez can change the narrative here.

Valdez enjoyed some success in the early stages, and in the fifth and sixth rounds, he countered well with a few well-timed and eye-catching left hooks - but he didn't have the kind of power to really trouble Navarrete.

Power was one of the key differences between the two fighters and Navarrete's work rate was a puzzle Valdez just couldn't solve. His high-guard stance offered some respite, but Navarrete boasts a significant reach advantage and ultimately he was able to pick his way through Valdez's defenses.

The first fight was a grueling encounter that descended into all-out war in the 10th round, and both fighters continued to trade in the championship rounds. Considering his size disadvantage, that could have worked in Valdez's favour but it was Navarrete who produced the better shots as he ultimately won by a wide margin.

Valdez deserves a shot at redemption and Navarrete is coming into the bout without a win in his last two fights so this meeting may be closer, but it is hard to see Valdez being able to make the improvements required to even the score and avenge the defeat.

Emanuel Navarrete to win by decision or technical decision (+100)

A Navarrete win is expected and Vaquero does have an impressive knockout record with 31 of his 38 wins coming inside the distance, but Valdez has already demonstrated he can last 12 rounds with his compatriot.

Valdez has two defeats on his own record but has never been stopped, and his losses have both come against elite opponents as he lost his unbeaten record to Shakur Stevenson back in April of 2022.

The first fight was an all-action affair and both fighters landed big shots but neither went down, so backing Navarette to claim another points win looks the best method of victory bet.

Both fighters to be knocked down (+900)

As an outside bet, both fighters to be knocked down has some appeal here, even if the bout is expected to last the distance.

If the pair decide to stand and trade like they did in the first meeting there is a good chance we could see a knockdown or two. Earlier in their careers, both fighters were involved in bouts where several knockdowns had been scored with the judges still being needed to make a final decision. 

Navarrete has scored knockdowns in three of his last five bouts and, in his own win over Wilson, he got knocked down in the fourth, returning the favour in the ninth before recording a TKO win.

Valdez was knocked down in the sixth round against Stevenson but reached the final bell and has been dropped in three of his last eight bouts. 

Read all you need to know about Emanuel Navarrete vs. Oscar Valdez 2 on site.

Emanuel Navarrete vs. Oscar Valdez 2 odds

	Emanuel Navarrete	Oscar Valdez
Money Line	-320	+235
By KO, TKO, DQ	+240	+750
By Decision or Technical Decision	+100	+450

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.