Shortly before the IBF and WBO title unification fight, a visa problem causes turbulence – promoter Eddie Hearn reveals details of Emanuel Navarrete’s chaotic travel drama.
The eagerly awaited super featherweight showdown between Emanuel Navarrete and Eduardo Nunez was on the verge of collapse. The IBF and WBO unification fight experienced massive turbulence at the last minute – caused by a delayed visa and a stuck private plane on Mexican soil.
As promoter Eddie Hearn explained in an interview with Boxing Social, Navarrete’s visa arrived a day later than planned. The WBO champion (29-1, 27 KOs) was originally due to fly to the USA the evening before to take part in the press conference. “He was supposed to get it yesterday to fly last night,” Hearn said. “In the end, he didn’t get it until this morning. He wouldn’t have made it in time for the press conference, so we organized a private jet at short notice. Then we waited with the jet on the tarmac until the payment was confirmed.”
Despite the organizational knockdown, the three-time world champion made it to the USA in time. The title unification fight against Nunez (29-1, 27 KOs) will take place as planned at the Desert Diamond Arena in Arizona and will be broadcast live on DAZN. After the official weigh-in, Navarrete was combative: “We had some setbacks on the way here, a lot of things were out of our hands. But now we’re here, and it’s great to see two Mexican warriors step into the ring.” Nunez is also ready for the biggest fight of his career: “He’s been champion for a long time, but I want to make my own history.”