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    Juan Miguel Elorde eager to make own name in title fight vs Mexican Navarrete

    Another Elorde gets chance to become world champion 60 years later
    Sep 14, 2019
    PHOTO: top rank

    FIFTY nine years after, another Elorde gets a shot at becoming a world boxing champion.

    Juan Miguel Elorde challenges reigning, defending champion Emanuel Navarrete for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) super-bantamweight crown Sunday (Manila time) at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

    The 12-round match, an undercard to the Tyson Fury-Otto Wallin heavyweight showdown, is definitely the biggest and toughest in the 11-year pro career of the 32-year-old Elorde, whose grandfather, the legendary Gabriel ‘Flash’ Elorde is considered one of the greatest Filipino boxers of all-time after winning the world lightweight championship at the Araneta Coliseum in 1960.

    The young Elorde, clearly the underdog against the hard-punching Navarrete, however, is determined to make history especially after being offered of the title fight on short notice.

    The Filipino was preparing for a Sept. 20 bout in Manila when Top Rank Promotions called in and asked his camp if they’re interested to face Navarrete.

    “This is my dream, to become a world champion. I think it’s coming to reality,” said Elorde, owner of a 28-1 (win-loss) record with 15 KOs.

    “We’re ready because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. When they called, we accepted the challenge because every boxer wants to be a world champion.”

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    Elorde didn’t have problem making weight during the official weigh-in held on Saturday when he tipped in at 121.2 lbs.

    Navarrete meanwhile, came in at 121.8 lbs.

    But the champion is just as resolve in defending his title as the fight falls a day before the Mexico Independence Day.

    While Navarrete considered Elorde a difficult opponent – ‘a Filipino of high level’ – he said he’s ‘psyched, highly trained, and motivated to defend my championship in Las Vegas on this special date.’

    “Fans will see a great fight and we will take back the title to Mexico and show Mexican pride, Mexican style, and contribute to the celebration of the Independence of our beloved Mexico,” said the champion.

    Navarrete, 24, totes an impressive 29-1 record with 24 KOs.

    His last fight came just almost a month ago when he destroyed Mexican-American Francisco De Vaca in just three rounds to retain his title belt.

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      The win was quick and easy for Navarrete that his handlers believe he’s ready to take on another fight in just a month’s time.

      Navarrete won the WBO crown when he dethroned Isaac Dogboe of Ghana in December of last year via a 12-round unanimous decision in New York City.

      In their rematch last May, the Mexican scored a 12th round TKO win to successfully defend his title for the first time.

      Veteran referee Russel Mora will be the third man in the ring for the fight, while judges scoring the bout are Dave Moretti, Patricia Morse Jarman, and Steve Weisfeld.

      Navarrete is guaranteed to receive $220K, while Elorde $40K as per the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

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      PHOTO: top rank
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