Narvaez pisses me off. He looked absolutley great last time out against Omar Soto (who was stepping up from frigging mimimumweight where he had already failed in a world title bid before getting a crack at Narvaez's strap): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjW9cu1bxJ4&feature=related But it's hard to be that impressed, because, all due respect, Soto is just not that good. He's since been KO'd in fewer rounds during yet another title bid. His next fight is against - wait for it - Victor Zaleta. At least Zaleta isn't undersized, he's wandering around out there with something called "the WBC FECOMBOX Superflyweight Title". I've no idea what that is, but I was relieved that it wasn't an "interim" bauble. Until, that is, I noticed that the guy had dropped a ten round decision for the "Interim NABF flyweight title" in his 5th to last fight. At least the guy has strung four wins together coming in. Unfortunately, he's NEVER been twelve rounds and he only has five KO's in his paultry eleven starts... The ****ing WBO are a joke that's not funny. How do these guys get sanctioned? Narvaez is organised, strong, patient, with very hard straight punches. He has a decent defence and is a good general with a fine control of his space. He's ranked #4 by Ring, which is about right, because even though he's got 16 title defences he hasn't really beaten anyone of note! Looking at the guys above him, I see him beating Wonjongkam and Kaovichit, not so sure about Naito, though I dont' see him being a serious underdog to anyone. Which is why it's so frustrating. The thing is, one of these nobodies is going to catch Narvaez out, and he'll lose his title anyway. Why not get whilst the getting's good? There are great fights in this division. Shame nobody can make them.
Naveraz has burnt to many bridges over the world. I doubt you will ever see him in America...No Jap will fight for a WBO title in Japan...Doubt he will go the Thailand to fight Pong nor have the cash to bring him over, not that it matters anyway Pong is on the way out by the looks of it. And so is Naito I think aswell. Thing is he is pretty damn good fighter..He was supposed to come over to Oz to fight Hussy Hussein a couple of years ago but the fight fell through at the last minute...Im sorta glad he didnt because I would have forked out for a ticket and would have had to sit through Hussy taking a beating. He showed a willingness to travel early in his career...But me thinks he will just hang in Argentina for the rest of his career and have a bit of a pre-Lacy Calzaghe kind of resume by the end of his tenure. Shame...he is one of those couple of Argies that come around every era that are very good.
IMO, Narvaez isn't really that good. I mean, he's good, but he wouldn't have his record if he had faced legitimate competition. It's a shame he's hijacked the belt, but at least it's not the real title, like Erdei. I suspect his management will keep putting him in with soft touches until he's broken the all-time record for most defenses in a weight class, and by that time, he'll be halfway shot and they'll cash him out with the biggest fight available.
the only problem i have with narvaez is that although he is an extremely talented boxer, he has yet to "risk" his title by trying to fight another champion. he did beat rayonta whitfield which was a very good win but other than that he doesn't fight top notch opponents. victor zaleta is a very good up and coming youngster but i don't think he's anywhere remotely ready for someone like narvaez. for one, he only has 5 KO's in 11 fights (10-1 5 KO's) and i don't think he's fast enough to win a decision against narvarez. notch up another victory for narvaez!
I agree with the general opinion. Narvaez is a gifted boxer but he won´t risk his belt facing real champions. His manager has been talking about a unification agaist de IBF champ for more than two years now and he hasn´t done anything to make it happen. As far as I can see, he´ll end up his career in Argentina without fighting any top notch boxer.
Actually Víctor ius the first legit opponent Omar has had since maybe Alejandro Hernández and earlier Brahim Asloum. (He's had like Like 3 legitimate opponents in 7 years if we add Sarritzu). Víctor gan give Narváez hell but I don't think he will win with the Argentinian judges and he may be outboxed by the more exprienced Omar.---
