Navarrete-Berinchyk ESPN

Mexican world champion Emanuel “El Vaquero” Navarrete aims to solidify his place among his country's boxing legends by stepping up to a new weight division to face one of its top contenders.

Navarrete is set to clash with Ukraine’s Denys Berinchyk for the vacant WBO lightweight world championship on Saturday, May 18 at the Pechanga Arena San Diego. Hailing from San Juan Zitlaltepec, Navarrete seeks to emulate the achievements of renowned Mexican fighters like Erik Morales, Jorge Arce, Juan Manuel Marquez, Leo Santa Cruz, and Canelo Alvarez by capturing titles in four weight classes.

In the welterweight co-feature, San Diego’s own Giovani Santillan, the WBO No. 1 contender, will return to the ring to delight his hometown supporters. His opponent for the night is yet to be announced.

The Navarrete-Berinchyk showdown and Santillan’s anticipated return will be aired LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.