Press Conference Notes: San Diego Favorite Emanuel Navarrete Set to Reignite Mexico-Philippines Rivalry against Charly Suarez

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (May 8, 2025) — Mexico’s fighting cowboy returns to his home away from home to reignite a storied rivalry with an unbeaten Filipino challenger.

Emanuel "Vaquero" Navarrete (39-2-1, 32 KOs) will defend his WBO junior lightweight world title against Charly Suarez (18-0, 10 KOs) this Saturday at Pechanga Arena San Diego, the latest chapter in the Mexico vs. Philippines fistic saga.

In the co-feature, SoCal native Raymond Muratalla (22-0, 17 KOs) and Russia’s Zaur Abdullaev (20-1, 12 KOs) will collide for the vacant IBF interim lightweight world title.

Navarrete-Suarez and Muratalla-Abdullaev will be broadcast LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

The ESPN+-streamed undercard will begin at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT and features the return of junior lightweight contender Andres Cortes (22-0, 12 KOs), who takes on Spain's Salvador Jimenez (14-1-1, 6 KOs) in a 10-rounder. 

Additionally, San Diego's hometown hero Giovani Santillan (33-1, 18 KOs) will square off against Mexico's Angel Beltran (18-2, 11 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight clash, while newly-signed 19-year-old junior bantamweight prodigy Perla Bazaldua (1-0, 1 KO) makes her Top Rank debut in a four-rounder against Mona Ward (0-1).

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets are on sale via AXS.com.

At Thursday's press conference, this is what the fighters said:

Emanuel Navarrete

“My performance against Oscar Valdez was my way of showing that I’m now at 100 percent. There’s no doubt about that now. So, all we have to do is prepare well to achieve my goals.”

“We know what happened the last time I was in San Diego. We did not get the victory. We lost against Denys Berinchyk in our attempt to win a title at 135 pounds. But now, defending at 130 pounds, we want to let the people know I’m ready to move forward with my career.”

“I prepared for a great fight. We know that Suarez is coming for my title. So I want a great fight so everyone can see I’m ready to continue on the path of victory.”

“We have to defend my title first. We’re going to work hard and take the title home. After, we’ll see if I stay at 130 or move up again.”

Charly Suarez

“I prayed for this fight. And here it is. The opportunity has come, and I have taken it. And we won’t lose.”

“I’m bringing all my amateur experience into this fight. This is it. The world title shot is here, so I’m ready and I’m excited for the fight on Saturday.”

“This is a good opportunity for me to represent my country and to show the world that Filipinos are good at boxing and that Filipinos and Mexicans put on great fights.”

Raymond Muratalla

“I’m ready to go. It’s been a long time. I’ve been putting in work. My time is here. So I’m shining on Saturday.”

“We know he’s tough. We know he’s coming to fight. But I'm fully prepared for whatever he brings.”

“A win on Saturday would be huge for my family and team. I’ve been dreaming of this since I was a kid.”

Zaur Abdullaev

“I’m happy to return to the United States after five years. And I’m ready to finally become a world champion.”

“I started my training camp out in the mountains. And I finished camp out here in California. I’m ready to do anything to win.”

“Muratalla is a very good fighter. I’ve watched many of his fights. But I’m ready to overcome this challenge.”

Andres Cortes

“There’s level to this. I’m going to show that I’m at the top.”

“I dream about this every night. I’ve dedicated my whole life to this sport. This is what I do. So, I’m ready to get back in there.”

“When you bet on me, it’s a guaranteed bet. If you want to make some money, take me by knockout.”

Salvador Jimenez

“There’s nowhere better to be than in the Mecca of boxing, the United States. This opportunity has come to me because God’s timing is perfect.”

“I am a warrior. I like to brawl. I can box in any way he wants, but I like to be in wars.”

Giovani Santillan

"I'm excited to be back here in San Diego. Every time I come to San Diego, I give everything I have. I leave it in the ring."

On the last year, including loss to Brian Norman Jr.

"It was tough. We went through some hard moments with my fight last year in San Diego and some things that happened with my family towards the end of the year. But I'm resilient, and my dad raised me to always work hard and always have faith and hope. I'm back here, and I'm excited for this weekend."

"Right now, I'm on the climb back up to another world title shot. I want another world title shot, and I'm ready for it already. I have to focus on this weekend, and I hope to get that soon."

Perla Bazaldua

"Signing with Top Rank, one of the biggest promotional companies out there, was one of my dreams. Finally getting that contract and now performing on this stage is such a motivation, especially in this camp.

Saturday, May 10

ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT)

Emanuel Navarrete vs.Charly Suarez, 12 rounds, Navarrete's WBO Junior Lightweight World Title

Raymond Muratalla vs. Zaur Abdullaev, 12 rounds, Vacant Interim IBF Lightweight World Title

ESPN+ (5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT)

Sammy Contreras vs. Dyllon Cervantes Alvarado, 4 rounds, Junior Welterweight

Andres Cortes vs. Salvador Jimenez, 10 rounds, Junior Lightweight

Giovani Santillan vs. Angel Beltran, 10 rounds, Welterweight

Perla Bazaldua vs. Mona Ward, 4 rounds, Junior Bantamweight

Albert Gonzalez vs. Ivan Guardado Jr., 10 rounds, Featherweight

Alan Garcia vs. Cristian Medina, 8 rounds, Lightweight

Sebastian Hernandez vs. Azat Hovhannisyan, 8 rounds, Junior Featherweight