Liam Wilson has labelled Emanuel Navarrete a “weight bully” and warned he’s primed to shock the boxing world by upsetting a two-time champion hailed as Mexico’s model of Australian legend Jeff Horn.
Wilson and Navarette got here face-to-face for the primary time on the official press convention on Wednesday forward of their showdown for the vacant WBO tremendous featherweight world title at Desert Diamond Enviornment on Saturday (AEDT).
And, as Wilson (11-1, 7KO) stared down Mexican mauler Navarrete (36-1, 30KO), the blond-haired Queenslander soared to a brand new stage of confidence.
Wilson is conscious of the American sentiment. That he has no hope. That he’ll cop a hiding by the hands of Navarrete, a vicious-looking Mexican hitman who has 30 profession knockouts and never been overwhelmed in 10 years.
Along with his stinging punches, workrate and awkward angles, Navarrete has been likened in type to Horn, who shocked Manny Pacquiao together with his Suncorp Stadium boilover in 2017.
However the sight of the 176cm Wilson towering above Navarrete, who’s six centimetres shorter, has given the Caboolture pugilist whole perception he can emulate Horn and stage a boilover to overcome the world in simply his thirteenth battle.
Navarette, who has gained world titles at featherweight and tremendous bantamweight, is stepping as much as the larger tremendous featherweight division for the primary time. Wilson is hellbent on bashing him into submission.
“I noticed a smaller man in entrance of me,” Wilson stated.
“Navarrete is a weight bully.
“All through his profession, he has fought guys smaller than him in smaller divisions, however for the primary time he’s stepping up into this (tremendous featherweight) division and I believe it’s too far of a leap.
“I come to convey the ache.
“I do know I’m the underdog and I can’t blame that. I’m 11-1 and he’s 36-1, statistics don’t lie, however I’ve come right here to trigger an upset and produce a halt to his plan of being a three-division world champion.
“Navarrete is a good champion, however I’m hungry and I labored my arse off for this.
“I plan on giving him the battle of his life … I’m going to win.”
Simply 9 Mexicans in historical past have gained world titles throughout three divisions.
Navarrete will enter a particular league if he disposes of Wilson, however the elegant Mexican is cautious of the unheralded Australian, acknowledging Wilson’s measurement and hitting energy.
“I did discover that he’s taller however we now have labored rather well so there’s nothing to fret about,” Navarrete informed Information Corp.
“If I say he has no probability then I might be overconfident.
“All opponents include a need within the ring and Wilson is not any exception. He’s very harmful.
“However I really feel assured. I’m acquainted with boxers who hit arduous so for me that’s one thing that’s regular.”
Wilson has overwhelmed two high 10 opponents, Matias Rueda and Joe Noynay, previously 9 months and says his punching energy will rock Navarrete.
“I don’t assume he has fought anybody with my energy but,” he stated.
“Will probably be a shock on battle evening and it’s a matter of how he handles it.
“I’ll deal with the event. I’m feeling very snug. I haven’t fought as an expert exterior of Australia earlier than. However as an newbie I’ve fought all over the world, been in hostile territories and that is what I’m right here for.
“I’m extra relaxed than I’ve ever been. That is destiny for me. That is my probability to fulfil my dream of turning into a world champion.
“That is my time.”
Initially printed as Australian world title contender Liam Wilson vows to beat ‘weight bully’ Mexican champ
