Two world champions in their primes will meet to determine the No. 1 fighter at 130 pounds.
WBO/IBF champion Emanuel Navarrete and WBC king O’Shaquie Foster will collide in a three-belt unification showdown Saturday, Oct. 24, at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.
In the 10-round featherweight co-feature, Albert “Chop Chop” Gonzalez takes on Fort Worth native and former two-time world title challenger Edward Vazquez.
Additionally, super lightweight contender Frank Martin makes his Top Rank debut in a 10-round battle against an opponent to be announced shortly.
Navarrete-Foster, Gonzalez-Vazquez, Martin’s return, along with an additional fight, will be streamed LIVE on DAZN beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
Promoted by Top Rank, tickets go on sale Friday, Sept. 11, at 10 a.m. CT via Ticketmaster.com.
“This fight brings together the two best fighters at 130 pounds in a matchup fans have been waiting for,” said Top Rank President Todd duBoef. “Navarrete has won world titles in three divisions and unified the belts, while Foster’s recent victories over Stephen Fulton and Raymond Ford have impressed the boxing world. The stakes don’t get any bigger, as the winner will be heralded as the division’s king and considered Fighter of the Year.”
Navarrete (40-2-1, 33 KOs) has spent nearly eight years in the championship picture, a run that began with his December 2018 upset of Isaac Dogboe at 122 pounds. He later captured titles at featherweight and super featherweight before moving up to lightweight in May 2024, where Denys Berinchyk spoiled his bid for a crown in a fourth division by split decision. Back at 130, and with a nagging left-hand injury finally behind him, Navarrete returned to form, dropping Oscar Valdez three times and stopping him in six rounds in their December 2024 rematch. His May 2025 bout against Charly Suarez, initially ruled a technical decision win, was later changed to a no contest. In February, he delivered a career-best performance against hard-punching IBF titleholder Eduardo Nuñez, who entered on a 19-fight winning streak. Navarrete broke him down over 10 punishing rounds before the bout was halted one second into the 11th.
Navarrete said, “I’m coming for everything, and I’m coming with everything I’ve got. I’m a Mexican warrior. I fear nothing and no one. I’m glad O’Shaquie Foster accepted the fight, because I’m coming for that third world title. I already have two—so why not three? On October 24, you’re going to see a real Mexican warrior.”
Foster (25-3, 12 KOs) turned pro in 2012 and, after early setbacks, saw his career take a decisive turn when he began working with trainer Bobby Benton in 2017. A sustained run of victories led to a February 2023 showdown with Rey Vargas, whom he decisioned for the vacant WBC super featherweight world title. He made a dramatic first defense in Cancun that December, stopping Eduardo “Rocky” Hernandez with 22 seconds left in the 12th, then signed with Top Rank and outpointed Abraham Nova the following February. Foster lost the belt to Robson Conceição by controversial split decision in July 2024 before reclaiming it four months later. He has since hit top form, dominating two-division champion Stephen Fulton before returning home to Houston in May and defeating former featherweight champion Raymond Ford by majority decision.
Foster said, “This is the type of fight every fighter dreams about, and I’m ready for the challenge. I’m also excited to be back in San Antonio and fighting in front of all my fans, both locally and around the world. The support I’ve received throughout my career has meant everything to me, and I’m looking forward to giving everyone another performance to remember. I know I say this every time, but this truly is the biggest fight of my career. I can’t wait to put on for Texas and show the world what ‘Shock’ Foster is all about.”
Gonzalez (18-0, 11 KOs), from Moreno Valley, California, trains under Robert Garcia. He began 2026 by stopping Franklin Gonzalez in seven rounds, then dispatched Brandon Chambers in the first round in March. In July, Gonzalez faced former world title challenger Aaron Alameda and made quick work of him, scoring a second-round knockout to capture the vacant NABF featherweight title.
Gonzalez said, “I’m very grateful for this opportunity. Every fight has been a step up, and we’ve been passing every test, thank God. My goal is to become a world champion, and now I get the chance to face a two-time world title challenger and show everybody what I can do. I’m excited to fight in San Antonio, too. It’s a great boxing city, and I’m looking forward to showing out.”
Vazquez (20-3, 6 KOs) has twice fought for a world title after first emerging as a serious contender with a narrow points loss to Ford in 2022. He pushed unbeaten IBF junior lightweight champion Joe Cordina to a majority decision in Monte Carlo the following year, then dropped to featherweight for a May 2025 shot at WBO champion Rafael Espinoza, who stopped him in seven. Vazquez has since won three straight, vanquishing Albeiro Paredes and Grimardi Machuca in five before outpointing Daniel Lugo over 10 in June.
Vazquez said, “I’m excited and grateful for this opportunity. It’s going to be a fun, entertaining fight for the fans. Gonzalez is a talented young fighter with a lot of hype behind him, but I’m the first real test of his career. I’ve worked too hard and come too far to let this opportunity pass me by. Come October 24, I plan on showing everyone there are levels to this.”
Martin (19-1-1, 13 KOs) turned pro in 2017 and broke out five years later with a fourth-round stoppage of Romero Duno and a 12-round triumph over then-unbeaten Michel Rivera. The Detroit native, now training under Buddy McGirt, followed by outboxing 2016 Olympian Artem Harutyunyan in July 2023 before challenging Gervonta Davis the following June. Since moving up to 140 pounds, Martin has stopped former world champion Rances Barthelemy in four rounds and battled Nahir Albright to a 10-round draw in February.
