Boxing Preview: Narvaez vs. Briceno Tonight For WBO Super Fly Title

The world’s former top flyweight goes up a division this evening at Argentina’s hallowed home of boxing, Estadio Luna Park in Buenos Aires, as Omar Andres Narvaez battles for the vacant WBO super flyweight title against Everth Briceno.

Narvaez, 31-0-2 (19), made 16 successful defenses of the WBO flyweight crown from 2002 to 2009 before heading up a weight class in February to decision Santiago Ivan Acosta over ten rounds.

At 34, it was time for Cordoba based southpaw to try his hand at super fly and “El Huracan” didn’t have to wait long for a shot at 115 pound world honors.

Facing Narvaez tonight at Luna Park is Nicaraguan slugger and reigning WBO Latino kingpin Briceno, 32-5-1 (26).

The 32 year old Chichigalpa resident challenged Fernando Montiel for the WBO super fly strap in Las Vegas, only to come up short via decision in 2005.

Briceno has gone 10-2-1 since that bout and most recently won WBO Latino honors with a hard fought majority decision over Juan Mercedes.

The Nicaraguan is as tough as they come but is at a skill disadvantage against Narvaez and must try and leverage his edge in strength and size to force the Argentine southpaw to stand and trade.

Narvaez will likely conserve his energy until the later rounds while keeping his rival off balance with sharp counters before stepping up the activity level late in the contest.

It could be tough for Briceno to win a decision in Narvaez’s backyard and the visitor will undoubtedly be looking to bring his greater punch power to bear and remove the decision from the judge’s hands.