The year is inching towards a close. With bated breath, the boxing world is eagerly looking forward to one of the year’s most anticipated showdowns. The rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury is slated for December 21. But it’s still two weeks away. Before the two heavyweights exchange jabs at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena, fans have something to look forward to. Across different time zones, three exciting events will unfold tomorrow.

Out of those, the rematch between Emanuel Navarrete and Oscar Valdez seems to be the one fans are most excited about. Over a year after their last clash ended in Navarrete’s resounding victory, the pair will meet up at Phoenix, Arizona’s Footprint Center. Valdez, who will turn 34 a day after the Usyk-Fury showdown, will try to even the record against a slickster like Navarrete. Among many other details, fans are always on the lookout for the songs the boxers play during their ring walks. Details about the numbers the two super featherweights plan to use tomorrow remain unknown. However, if we know the songs they used previously, perhaps it might set off an interesting chain of conversation.

Emanuel Navarrete Walkout Songs

It was quite challenging to pull out the walkout songs Emanuel Navarrete used in his fights preceding the first Oscar Valdez match. The WBO super featherweight champion doesn’t seem fussy about the song that accompanies him as he walks towards the ring. Beginning with his most recent fight against Denys Berinchyk, the song that has featured in most of his fights remains the chart-topping number by Vicente Fernandez Gomez.

Though the mariachi singer, an icon and a treasure of Mexico, sadly passed away in 2021, his legacy, however, still continues. One of his most famous songs was ‘El hijo del pueblo’. The song from one of his early albums made an appearance in the 1974 debut movie, which incidentally went by the same name—’El hijo del pueblo’.

The song gels with Navarrete’s overall appearance and persona. Nicknamed ‘Vaquero’, which means ‘cowboy’, the champion makes it a point to enter the arena wearing his signature black cowboy hat. Paired with his colorful embroidered open t-shirt and Vicente Fernandez’s iconic number, Navarrete proudly showcases his strong Hispanic and Mexican roots.

Oscar Valdez Walkout Songs

Oscar Valdez is also not far off when it comes to his own Mexican heritage. The Nogales, Sonora-born fighter, who trains under Eddy Reynoso, marks an entry in the most minimalist fashion. Nevertheless, ahead of the bout he ensures that fans and viewers hear his favorite song so that they understand his mindset and intentions.

Our search took us back ten years ago, when a young 25-year-old Oscar Valdez went against Ruben Tamayo. The fight on June 27, 2015, at the Stub Hub Center in California saw him enter to the song ‘Soy de Rancho’. Written and sung by Mexican singer El Komander, the song, which means ‘I am from Rancho’, was released a year before the non-title bout.

One of the most recognizable tunes that Valdez has used belongs to the famous Mexican hip-hop group Cartel De Santa. He used their 2006 release, ‘Hey Si Me Ven’, during the first against Adam Lopez. It seems he used the song when he battled Emanuel Navarrete last year.

One of Valdez’s most famous bouts took place two years ago. He faced the enigmatic Shakur Stevenson. The fight ended in his first professional loss. Nevertheless, for the match he relied on Vicente Fernandez. In the 1970s, when he had begun his career, the musician, who went by the moniker ‘El Rey de la Música Ranchera’, which means ‘The King of the Ranchera Music’, consolidated his position with a string of albums, one of them being ‘El Rey’.

“This is your peacock moment,” remarked most eloquently former cruiserweight champion Johnny Nelson during an interview. He was sharing why ring walks were so critical for professional boxers. “So when you are a fully accomplished fighter and you believe in yourself, the ring walk is everything,” he said.

What may seem like an insignificant choice of song for a boxer’s ring walk to a casual viewer is actually quite meaningful. Diehard fans, however, understand its significance. These selections not only reflect a boxer’s character but also reveal what he intends to bring to the ring.

What about you? Which is your favorite ring walkout song of all time?