WBO featherweight world champion Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete recognizes the qualities of Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz .

However, if the Puerto Rican fighter wants to upset the odds and become a champion, he will have to present his best boxing form in the ring.

On April 24, Navarrete (32-1, 27 KOs) will face Diaz (26-2, 16 KOs) in the main fight of an ESPN card that will take place at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Florida.

Navarrete, 26-years-old, has won world titles in two divisions. In 2018, he beat Isaac Dogboe to capture the WBO super bantamweight title.

After five defenses, the Mexican slugger rose to featherweight and won the vacant WBO title with a win over Ruben Villa.

Navarrete has been away from the ring since capturing the title in October of last year. 

“I'm fine, working pretty hard. I think it will be an excellent fight because of the preparation I am taking,” shared Navarrete to Carlos Gonzalez.

“Diaz a tough boxer. It will be a bit complicated in that sense, but I always try to impose my fighting style. It will be more difficult, but I'm working for that [aspect of the fight]. I'm presented with the opportunity to fight and I have always liked being ready. I don't look at the opponent. If they offered it, it's for something. If they place Diaz as the title challenger, then that part is left to the promoters. Yes, I have been criticized because sometimes my opponents are not ranked, but I work to fight against whoever they put in front of me. I don't think about taking the opportunity away from someone who has earned it.

“[Diaz] said that my Achilles heel is getting boxed. If he [Diaz] comes out to do that, it will be a boring fight and I will do whatever I can to prevent [that kind of fight], so that I have a good taste in my mouth. He has said that when they box me I get frustrated, that I can't think and I lose my mind, but I have worked on a lot of things. I have a plan for whatever Diaz brings."