Emanuel Navarrete undergoes hand surgery, expects return in early 2024

Emanuel Navarrete doesn’t expect to miss significant time after surgery.

Emanuel Navarrete underwent “minor surgery” on his left hand on Friday in Mexico, just over two weeks following a draw title defense against Robson Conceicao in Las Vegas.

Navarrete (38-1-1, 31 KO) posted about the surgery on social media, saying that it “the product of an old injury” and “no longer allowed (him) to perform 100 percent.”

The 28-year-old titlist says he will likely not be out terribly long.

“I’ll keep you posted on how the recovery is going, but I’m sure in the early months of 2024 we’ll be ready for the new challenges that arise,” he said. “I am a Mexican warrior that will never withdraw (from) any challenge or commitment, but out of respect to you and my career, I will never again give any advantage.”

Navarrete and Conceicao (17-2-1, 8 KO) could find themselves in a rematch upon the former’s return to action, as Navarrete did say post-fight he believed the 35-year-old Brazilian deserved one.

There is also a possibility of a unification fight with WBC titleholder O’Shaquie Foster, who recently signed with Top Rank, but that seems more likely to wait until ESPN can “expose” Foster (21-2, 12 KO) to a “new audience,” and for Navarrete to be sure he’s back at 100 percent.