By Jake Donovan

There’s no rest for the weary as far as Emanuel Navarrete is concerned.

The red-hot super bantamweight titlist is set for the third defense of his crown, all coming in a span of just four months as his place has been confirmed on the September 14 Top Rank on ESPN+ card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Navarrete will face Philippines’ Juan Miguel Elorde in a scheduled 12-round supporting bout to a battle of unbeaten heavyweights between top-rated Tyson Fury and Swedish southpaw Otto Wallin.

News of Navarrete’s placement on the card was first reported by ESPN.com senior writer Dan Rafael and confirmed and approved on Friday by the World Boxing Organization, whose 122-pound title will be on the line. 

Navarrete (28-1, 24KOs) was promised a place on the Las Vegas card by Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum literally seconds after his latest win, a 3rd round knockout of previously unbeaten Francisco de Vaca in their Aug. 17 ESPN headliner from Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif.

The bout came just three months after his 12th round knockout of Isaac Dogboe in their rematch this past May, a far-more one-sided affair than when Navarrete won the title five months prior in a competitive-but-clear decision win last December.

The 24-year old from Mexico City—who has won 23 straight since his lone loss in his first year as a pro—has threatened to eventually move up in weight within his next couple of fights, although is holding out hope for at least one unification bout before bolting for featherweight.

Remaining active could at least buy him some time, in hopes of securing a major titlist for his next outing provided he prevails in September.

Elorde (28-1, 15KOs) enters his first career title fight and just second pro appearance in the United States. His previous stateside trek also took place in Las Vegas, resulting in his lone career loss nearly seven years ago.

The youngest member of a fighting family, Elorde—whose grandfather Gabriel ‘Flash’ Elorde is a Hall of Fame-enshrined former two-time super featherweight titlist—has since won 18 straight although against middling competition.

The 32-year old contender never had the honor of meeting his legendary grandfather, who passed away in 1985. Elorde’s older brother, Juan Martin Elorde is a fringe lightweight contender.

Navarrete’s placement on the card helps validate the Mexican Independence Day theme the show and the weekend carries.

The date was originally set aside for World middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, who has commanded the weekend along with Cinco de Mayo every year since 2016. However, a failure to secure an opponent in time resulted in the Mexican icon pushing back his next fight, leaving room for Top Rank to come in and secure the date and venue for England’s Fury, who looks to remain active ahead of a planned rematch with unbeaten Deontay Wilder next February.

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox