A fine boxer, Navarrete had a good talent and was known for his hard-hitting punches.
Known to be a slugger and one of the greatest Filipino knockout artists.
He first fought for a world title in 1980 against Alexis Argüello but lost by TKO to the legendary champion. On August 29, 1981, he would win the WBC Super featherweight title by knocking out popular fellow southpaw Cornelius Edwards in the 5th round of a title match held in Italy. He later defended the title against unknown Choi Chung-Il of Korea, stopping the gritty challenger in the 11th round of a controversial bout held in Manila in January 1982. In his second title defense four months later in Las Vegas, Nevada, Navarrete took on Rafael "Bazooka" Limón. The champion led on all scorecards before getting knocked out by Limón in the 12th round. Thereafter, Navarrete's career went downhill and he would never again figure in big-money fights. Sometime in the mid-'80s, he was convicted of sexual assault and served three years in a Hawaiian prison.
After his release, Navarrete went back to the Philippines and embarked on several comeback fights. In one of those fights, he would exact revenge on his old tormentor Limón, winning by decision in a 10-round bout. A series of losses against local fighters and unranked contenders forced him to retire for good.
| Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|
| {{no2}}Loss | 56-15-3 | {{flagicon|PHI}} William Magahin | TKO}} | 6 (10)}} | 1991-07-31}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Araneta Coliseum, Barangay Cubao, Quezon City}} | |
| {{no2}}Loss | 56-14-3 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Bernabe Aliping | UD}} | 10 (10)}} | 1991-06-08}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Baguio City}} | |
| {{no2}}Loss | 56-13-3 | {{flagicon|KOR}} Tae Jin Moon | TKO}} | 9 (10)}} | 1990-07-20}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Ninoy Aquino Stadium, District of Malate, Manila}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 56-12-3 | {{flagicon|THA}} Ayuthaya Sithphakamron | KO}} | 7 (10)}} | 1990-05-18}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Ninoy Aquino Stadium, District of Malate, Manila}} | |
| {{no2}}Loss | 55-12-3 | {{flagicon|MEX}} Ramon Marchena | TD}} | 5 (12)}} | 1990-02-17}} | {{flagicon|MEX}} {{small|Mexico City}} | {{small|For WBC International lightweight title}} |
| {{no2}}Loss | 55-11-3 | {{flagicon|KOR}} Tae Jin Moon | KO}} | 6 (10)}} | 1989-10-13}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Araneta Coliseum, Barangay Cubao, Quezon City}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 55-10-3 | {{flagicon|THA}} Thongberm Lukmatulee | KO}} | 3 (10)}} | 1989-07-11}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Ninoy Aquino Stadium, District of Malate, Manila}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 54-10-3 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Ken Carter | TKO}} | 1 (10)}} | 1989-04-22}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Ninoy Aquino Stadium, District of Malate, Manila}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 53-10-3 | {{flagicon|THA}} Dawthong Chuvatana | TKO}} | 1 (10)}} | 1989-02-18}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Ninoy Aquino Stadium, District of Malate, Manila}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 52-10-3 | {{flagicon|MEX}} Rafael Limón | UD}} | 10 (10)}} | 1988-12-23}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 51-10-3 | {{flagicon|KOR}} Jin-Shik Choi | TKO}} | 6 (10)}} | 1988-11-05}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Araneta Coliseum, Barangay Cubao, Quezon City}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 50-10-3 | {{flagicon|INA}} Bisenti Santoso | TKO}} | 2 (10)}} | 1988-09-16}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 49-10-3 | {{flagicon|INA}} Muhammed Juhari | UD}} | 10 (10)}} | 1988-07-22}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 48-10-3 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Elmer Leonardo | TKO}} | 2 (10)}} | 1988-05-06}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Araneta Coliseum, Barangay Cubao, Quezon City}} | |
| {{no2}}Loss | 47-10-3 | {{flagicon|MEX}} Mario Martinez | TKO}} | 5 (10)}} | 1984-06-23}} | {{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 47-9-3 | {{flagicon|AUS}} Dennis Talbot | KO}} | 2 (10)}} | 1983-08-12}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Araneta Coliseum, Barangay Cubao, Quezon City}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 46-9-3 | {{flagicon|MEX}} Ignacio Jimenez | TKO}} | 6 (10)}} | 1983-06-28}} | {{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Blaisdell Center Arena, Honolulu}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 45-9-3 | {{flagicon|USA}} Saul Mayren | TKO}} | 6 (10)}} | 1983-01-28}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Araneta Coliseum, Barangay Cubao, Quezon City}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 44-9-3 | {{flagicon|KOR}} Young-Se Oh | TKO}} | 8 (10)}} | 1982-09-10}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Araneta Coliseum, Barangay Cubao, Quezon City}} | |
| {{no2}}Loss | 43-9-3 | {{flagicon|MEX}} Rafael Limón | TKO}} | 12 (15)}} | 1982-05-29}} | {{flagicon|USA}} {{small|The Aladdin, Las Vegas}} | {{small|Lost WBC World super featherweight title}} |
| {{yes2}}Win | 43-8-3 | {{flagicon|KOR}} Choi Chung-il | KO}} | 11 (15)}} | 1982-01-16}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila}} | {{small|Retained WBC World super featherweight title}} |
| {{yes2}}Win | 42-8-3 | {{flagicon|UGA}} Cornelius Edwards | KO}} | 5 (15)}} | 1981-08-29}} | {{flagicon|ITA}} {{small|Stadio de Pini, Viareggio}} | {{small|Won WBC World super featherweight title}} |
| {{yes2}}Win | 41-8-3 | {{flagicon|USA}} Blaine Dickson | UD}} | 10 (10)}} | 1981-07-21}} | {{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Blaisdell Center Arena, Honolulu}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 40-8-3 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Johnny Sato | UD}} | 12 (12)}} | 1981-05-19}} | {{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Blaisdell Center Arena, Honolulu}} | {{small|Won NABF World super featherweight title}} |
| {{yes2}}Win | 39-8-3 | {{flagicon|USA}} Arturo Leon | UD}} | 10 (10)}} | 1981-04-18}} | {{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Blaisdell Center Arena, Honolulu}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 38-8-3 | {{flagicon|MEX}} Refugio Rojas | UD}} | 10 (10)}} | 1981-04-07}} | {{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Blaisdell Center Arena, Honolulu}} | |
| {{no2}}Loss | 37-8-3 | {{flagicon|ECU}} Hector Cortez | UD}} | 10 (10)}} | 1981-03-10}} | {{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Blaisdell Center Arena, Honolulu}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 37-7-3 | {{flagicon|USA}} Rocky Ramon | TKO}} | 8 (10)}} | 1981-01-20}} | {{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Blaisdell Center Arena, Honolulu}} | |
| {{no2}}Loss | 36-7-3 | {{flagicon|NIC}} Alexis Argüello | RTD}} | 4 (15)}} | 1980-04-27}} | {{flagicon|PUR}} {{small|Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan}} | {{small|For WBC World super featherweight title}} |
| {{yes2}}Win | 36-6-3 | {{flagicon|USA}} Jerome Artis | TKO}} | 7 (10)}} | 1980-04-01}} | {{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Blaisdell Center Arena, Honolulu}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 35-6-3 | {{flagicon|USA}} Frank Ahumada | UD}} | 10 (10)}} | 1980-01-18}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Manila}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 34-6-3 | {{flagicon|USA}} Abdul Bey | TKO}} | 7 (10)}} | 1979-12-18}} | {{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Blaisdell Center Arena, Honolulu}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 33-6-3 | {{flagicon|JPN}} Blazer Okubo | TKO}} | 3 (10)}} | 1979-10-09}} | {{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Blaisdell Center Arena, Honolulu}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 32-6-3 | {{flagicon|USA}} Miguel Meza | TKO}} | 7 (10)}} | 1979-08-28}} | {{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Blaisdell Center Arena, Honolulu}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 31-6-3 | {{flagicon|MEX}} Jose Torres | UD}} | 10 (10)}} | 1979-07-24}} | {{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Blaisdell Center Arena, Honolulu}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 30-6-3 | {{flagicon|USA}} Frankie Duarte | UD}} | 10 (10)}} | 1979-06-19}} | {{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Blaisdell Center Arena, Honolulu}} | |
| {{Draw}}Draw | 29-6-3 | {{flagicon|THA}} Thanomchit Sukhothai | PTS}} | 10 (10)}} | 1979-03-18}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Cebu City}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 29-6-2 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Rey Tam | KO}} | 4 (10)}} | 1979-02-16}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Manila}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 28-6-2 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Pete Alferez | TKO}} | 2 (10)}} | 1979-01-07}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Cebu Coliseum, Cebu City}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 27-6-2 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Nene Jun | UD}} | 12 (12)}} | 1978-09-30}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Davao City}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 26-6-2 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Fernando Cabanela | UD}} | 12 (12)}} | 1978-08-19}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|General Santos City}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 25-6-2 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Nene Jun | MD}} | 10 (10)}} | 1978-07-15}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|General Santos City}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 24-6-2 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Tony Jumao-As | TKO}} | 4 (10)}} | 1978-05-27}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Cebu City}} | |
| {{no2}}Loss | 23-6-2 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Johnny Sato | TKO}} | 8 (10)}} | 1977-12-31}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Cagayan de Oro City}} | |
| {{no2}}Loss | 23-5-2 | {{flagicon|THA}} Thanomchit Sukhothai | TKO}} | 9 (10)}} | 1977-09-02}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Manila}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 23-4-2 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Ric Quijano | PTS}} | 10 (10)}} | 1977-08-12}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Davao City}} | |
| {{no2}}Loss | 22-4-2 | {{flagicon|KOR}} Yung-Shik Kim | SD}} | 12 (12)}} | 1977-06-17}} | {{flagicon|KOR}} {{small|Seoul}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 22-3-2 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Mario Odias | UD}} | 10 (10)}} | 1977-01-29}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Cebu City}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 21-3-2 | {{flagicon|KOR}} Yung-Shik Kim | TKO}} | 7 (10)}} | 1976-11-13}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Cebu City}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 20-3-2 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Renato Paulino | KO}} | 4 (10)}} | 1976-09-25}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Cebu City}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 19-3-2 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Pol Ladeza | TKO}} | 1 (10)}} | 1976-08-21}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Cagayan de Oro City}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 18-3-2 | {{flagicon|PHI}} San Sacristan | TKO}} | 7 (10)}} | 1976-07-31}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Cebu City}} | |
| {{no2}}Loss | 17-3-2 | {{flagicon|ITA}} Paul Ferreri | PTS}} | 10 (10)}} | 1976-06-26}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Cebu Coliseum, Cebu City}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 17-2-2 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Dommy Marolena | UD}} | 10 (10)}} | 1976-05-15}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Cebu City}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 16-2-2 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Bernabe Villacampo | TKO}} | 2 (10)}} | 1976-01-31}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Cebu City}} | |
| {{no2}}Loss | 15-2-2 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Fernando Cabanela | UD}} | 12 (12)}} | 1975-10-01}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Araneta Coliseum, Barangay Cubao, Quezon City}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 15-1-2 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Danny Reyes | TKO}} | 6 (10)}} | 1975-08-31}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|General Santos City}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 14-1-2 | {{flagicon|JPN}} Go Mifune | TKO}} | 2 (10)}} | 1975-08-01}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Manila}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 13-1-2 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Rey Naduma jr. | TKO}} | 3 (10)}} | 1975-06-14}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|General Santos City}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 12-1-2 | {{flagicon|PHI}} San Sacristan | KO}} | 4 (10)}} | 1975-03-14}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Araneta Coliseum, Barangay Cubao, Quezon City}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 11-1-2 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Conrado Vasquez | UD}} | 12 (12)}} | 1975-02-15}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|General Santos City}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 10-1-2 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Rene Cruz Jr. | TKO}} | 7 (10)}} | 1975-01-24}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Manila}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 9-1-2 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Dodo Quilario | MD}} | 10 (10)}} | 1974-11-29}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Davao City}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 8-1-2 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Willie Abenir | UD}} | 10 (10)}} | 1974-10-18}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Santa Ana Park (PRC), Manila}} | |
| {{no2}}Loss | 7-1-2 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Roberto Cinco | MD}} | 10 (10)}} | 1974-07-20}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Dadiangas City, General Santos City}} | |
| {{Draw}}Draw | 7-0-2 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Julius Gonzaga | PTS}} | 10 (10)}} | 1974-06-12}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Dadiangas City, General Santos City}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 7-0-1 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Mar Belimac | TKO}} | 6 (6)}} | 1973-12-22}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Dadiangas City, General Santos City}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 6-0-1 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Ernie Sun | TKO}} | 2 (8)}} | 1973-11-24}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|General Santos City}} | |
| {{Draw}}Draw | 5-0-1 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Jimmie Verongue | PTS}} | 8 (8)}} | 1973-11-10}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Dadiangas City, General Santos City}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 5-0 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Cris Espinosa | UD}} | 8 (8)}} | 1973-10-13}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|General Santos City}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 4-0 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Abdul Maratan | UD}} | 6 (6)}} | 1973-06-23}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|General Santos City}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 3-0 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Cris Espinosa | DQ}} | 6 (6)}} | 1973-04-14}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Dadiangas City, General Santos City}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 2-0 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Quirino Peligro | UD}} | 6 (6)}} | 1973-03-24}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Dadiangas City, General Santos City}} | |
| {{yes2}}Win | 1-0 | {{flagicon|PHI}} Eddie Clementos | UD}} | 4 (4)}} | 1973-02-17}} | {{flagicon|PHI}} {{small|Dadiangas City, General Santos City}} | {{small|Professional debut}} |
Navarrete currently lives in General Santos City. A series of failed relationships with different women gave him a total of seven children. One of his sons, Rolando Jr., who fights under his mother's name Rolando Dy, is a professional mixed martial artist.[1][2]
Troubles outside the ring left Navarrete with no money and the former world champion now sells fish that, according to him, earn him 800 pesos (about 16 dollars) a day.[3][4] He still trains nowadays with a heavy bag in his home.
He spent three years in a US prison for rape. Navarrete was also recently involved in various police complaints for wife battery and drugs.[3]
On February 14, 2008, Navarrete, was pronounced out of danger, after being stabbed in the neck by Racman Saliling, a tenant at the boarding house he owns in Bula, General Santos City, using an ice pick. Navarrete was also involved in two previous attacks: in 2005, he was hit with a steel pipe by a female neighbor and in 2006, a security guard clubbed his leg with a shotgun at a fishing port.
He is ranked the 9th best super featherweight champion in history, by the World Boxing Council. In 2007, Navarrete was included in "Kamao", an episode of award winning program Sine Totoo, which received the RP's first and only George Foster Peabody Award, the equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize.[5]
"Kamao", presented the sports of boxing and featured the story of the former world featherweight champion.
1. ^{{cite web | last = | first = | author = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Elorde's grandson, Navarete's boy pull out of boxfest | work = | publisher =GMANews.TV | date =2010-01-25 | url =http://www.gmanews.tv/story/182428/elorde39s-grandson-navarete39s-boy-pull-out-of-boxfest}}
2. ^ {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006130107/http://fightsportasia.com/2014/09/27/pxc-45-rolando-dy-and-kyle-aguon-to-contest-bantamweight-title/ |date=October 6, 2014 }}
3. ^1 {{cite web| last =| first =| author =Cecil Morella| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =Rolando Navarrete: Another sad story| work =| publisher =eastsideboxing.com| date =| url =http://www.eastsideboxing.com/forum/showthread.php?t=162676| deadurl =yes| archiveurl =https://web.archive.org/web/20120320072045/http://www.eastsideboxing.com/forum/showthread.php?t=162676| archivedate =2012-03-20| df =}}
4. ^{{cite web | last = | first = | author = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Navarrete a cautionary tale for Pinoy boxers | work = | publisher =abs-cbnNEWS.com | date = | url =http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/08/17/09/navarrete-cautionary-tale-pinoy-boxers}}
5. ^{{cite web | last = | first = | author = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Fists | work = | publisher =GMANews.TV | date =2007-03-21 | url =http://www.gmanews.tv/story/35212/fists}}