PHILADELPHIA, PA/ / ORANGE, CA. (Sept. 21, 2020) - On Friday night, October 9th, undefeated WBO number-two ranked featherweight contender Ruben Villa (18-0, 5 KOs) gets his much deserved world title shot when he takes on former WBO super bantamweight world champion, and WBO number-one ranked contender, Emanuel Navarrete (32-1, 28 KOs), in a battle for the WBO World Featherweight title.

Navarrete is undefeated in the last eight-years, which spans 27 fights.

The fight will take place at "The Bubble" inside the MGM Grand Conference Center, and will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.

"I have been working my butt off since I was a little kid for this opportunity, and I just can't wait to get in there and fight for the title," said Villa, who is promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing. "Navarrete is a real aggressive Mexican fighter. He is coming to win. He was a former champion, and I am the underdog, but I have the style to beat him. We have kept the camp the same. We just treat it like it's every other fight, just that this fight is for a world title.  All my hard work is paying off. I am honored and excited to represent everyone who has supported me and my journey to become a world champion, and I plan on bringing the world title back to my home city of Salinas, California."

"Ruben Villa is a terrific fighter and has the ability to make his dream to become a world champion a reality. The hard work that Banner Promotions and us at Thompson Boxing have put on his career will surely pay off," said Ken Thompson, CEO of Thompson Boxing. "Navarrete is a terrific champion and it will be a huge challenge for our fighter, but I'm sure Ruben will rise up to the occasion and make us all proud."

Photos by Emily Harney / Banner Promotions

WBC Super Bantamweight Title Eliminator – 12 Rounds

Danny Roman – 121 ¼ lbs.

Juan Carlos Payano – 121 ½ lbs.

DANNY ROMAN

ROMAN VS PAYANO

ROMAN VS PAYANO

Undefeated World Ranked Contender Ruben Villa IV Battles Emanuel Navarrete for the Vacant WBO Featherweight World Title October 9 Live

on ESPN and ESPN Deportes From the

MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas

SALINAS, CA (October 6, 2020) – The highly anticipated world title fight between Ruben Villa IV (18-0, 5KOs), who is promoted by Thompson Boxing and Banner Promotions, and Emanuel Navarrete (32-1, 28 KOs) will happen this Friday, October 9th, 2020 on ESPN with the vacant WBO featherweight world title on the line.

The fight is being promoted by Top Rank, in association with Thompson Boxing Promotions and Banner Promotions, taking place at "The Bubble" inside the MGM Grand Conference Center, televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes (10 PM ET / 7 PM PT).

Prior to being in the professional ranks, Villa was largely considered as one of the greatest amateurs in recent years in USA Boxing. He is now looking to make a childhood dream come true by bringing a world title back to his hometown of Salinas, California.

On his recent training camp

“This camp has been the best camp of my life. I turned off all social media, I took a 'Mamba Mentality', and focused strictly on training. I’ve had great sparring partners preparing for this fight like Manny Jaimes, Javier Padilla, Andy Vences and Xavier Martinez, and they all gave me tough rounds, and I am ready for whatever Navarrete will bring, whether it is boxing or pressure.

On his matchup with Emanuel Navarrete

“Navarrete is a good fighter, but I will be honest, I feel largely disrespected coming into this fight. I am a southpaw who is the bigger man, and had a better amateur career, but am being viewed as an underdog. I have a chip on my shoulder, and though I respect Navarrete's skills, I am looking to prove a point.”

On bringing a world title back to Salinas, California.

“I love my hometown of Salinas, California, and I want to bring home a world title to all the fans here that have supported me over the years. I have told my trainers Max Garcia and Sam Garcia that this has been a childhood dream of mine since I first laced up a pair of gloves. We're working as a team to accomplish this goal.”

On what people expect when he steps in the ring.

“People will see someone who started boxing at a young age, show his skills and poise in accomplishing a childhood dream. I have been very focused, I am giving this my all, and I am ready. Everyone should tune in Friday, October 9th, on ESPN, because this will be a great fight for the fans.”

Photos from Brett Ostrowski

Former unified super bantamweight champion Danny Román overcame a slow start and survived 36-year-old former champion Juan Carlos Payano in a WBC Super Bantamweight title eliminator. All three judges saw it 116-112 in favor of Los Angeles’ Roman, who rallied in the later rounds to earn the unanimous decision. (Video recap here: https://twitter.com/ShowtimeBoxing/status/1310059423868620800?s=20)

“It’s always good to have your hand raised,” said Roman, who won the final four rounds on all three scorecards. “I can’t take anything away from Payano. He’s a veteran and he knows a lot of tricks. I had to adjust. It feels good to get a win again and I’m looking to keep that feeling going.”

Miami’s Payano, originally from the Dominican Republic, landed a career-high 261 punches compared to 152 for Roman (27-3-1, 10 KOs), who is ranked in the top five by all four sanctioning bodies. Payano (21-4, 9 KOs) suffered a cut above his left eye due to a head buttin the third round.

“We’re at the level and ready to fight the Luis Nery vs. Aaron Alameda winner,” Roman said.

“I still have unfinished business with Murodjon Akhmadaliev. I want that rematch. If not that, then I’m ready to fight Angelo Leo.”