At the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Emanuel Navarrete (38-1-1, 31 KOs) and Robson Conceicao (17-2-1, 8 KOs) fought to a majority draw in high-volume action fight.
Navarrete, the reigning WBO junior lightweight world champion, retained his title in a hard-fought battle. The three-division Mexican champ struggled with Conceicao’s movement, but eventually found him in the fourth round with combinations around his guard that dropped the Brazilian Olympic gold medalist.
Conceicao showed heart and endurance, returning to exchange in the center of the ring in round five. He often caught Navarrete with counter right hands and seemed to gain momentum, but he was sent to the canvas again in the seventh round.
Conceicao thrived in the later rounds, going blow for blow until the final seconds of the twelfth round.
One judge had it 114-112 for Navarrete, which was overruled by two scores of 113-113.
Navarrete is very much open to the idea of doing the fight a second time.
Navarrete said, “The decision is well-deserved. Robson is a great fighter. He left his heart in the ring. There were some details with regard to technique, but we accomplished what we said we would do. We gave a great show for the fans. And, at least, I am very happy to come away with the title.
“He deserves the rematch, but that decision doesn’t depend 100 percent on me. But, if it does happen, I would train even better. He knows how I fight, and I know how he fights, so it would make for an excellent fight.”
And Conceicao believes a second contest would be even more exciting.
Conceicao said, “It was a hard fight. He is very strong. It was a difficult. But I know what I did tonight.
“It was a good fight. It deserves a rematch. If we do get the rematch, we will both train harder and will give an even better fight.”