GLENDALE, Ariz. – Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez has participated in 30 pro bouts, stands as IBF super-featherweight champion and has knocked out 27 of his opponents.

But if you’ve never seen him fight or haven’t heard much of him, he understands and is positioned to do something about it Saturday night when Mexico’s Nunez, 29-1 (27 KOs), meets countryman and WBO champion Emanuel Navarrete, 39-2-1 (32 KOs), at Desert Diamond Arena on DAZN.

“You’ll see gunpowder and a fight that ends in a knockout,” Nunez told BoxingScene Wednesday after visiting with fans at a Glendale auto parts store.

Perhaps the locale was fitting because Nunez, 28, has built his career as if he was wielding wrenches and screwdrivers while denting his hands underneath a vehicle lift.

His brilliance of finishing 18 of his bouts by the end of the third round was obscured because they took place in Mexico, with little television viewership.

While three-division champion Navarrete, 31, was backed by the promotional muscle of Top Rank, meaning his major prior fights were shown on ESPN, Nunez was discovered by veteran advisor Sean Gibbons, landed a union with Matchroom, and now is positioned for a breakout performance.

“Thank you to all the people who are looking forward to this fight. I’ve put in all the hard work to ensure this will be a great fight for the fans,” he said.

Navarrete is also all-action, but his motor has sputtered in the recent past.

His 2024 effort to become a four-division champion was thwarted by Denys Berinchyk, who promptly turned over the WBO lightweight belt to Keyshawn Davis.

And in May, Navarrete was gifted a technical-decision victory over Charly Suarez after a video replay that was inconclusive during the California State Athletic Commission’s allotted review time ultimately indicated a punch – not a headbutt – forced Navarrete to stop. 

A timely ruling would’ve made the Philippines’ Suarez the winner. Now, he’s here, hoping to get a crack at Saturday’s winner.

Asked if he believes Navarrete is ripe for a beating Saturday, Nunez expressed respect.

“I think he’s a great champion and great warrior,” Nunez said. “While some things have not gone his way, perhaps, I still believe he’s a wonderful fighter and we’ve put in the hard work, knowing he’s a great champion and that we have to give it our all.”

Nunez said new fans should expect “‘Sugar’ Nunez will go in very well prepared, with that winning mentality. You can expect a great fight.” 

In addition to Suarez, WBC 130lbs champion O’Shaquie Foster and Top Rank’s WBC featherweight champion Rafael Espinoza loom as future foes.

“To be totally sincere, I’m totally focused on the commitment on the fight in front of me against a great champion,” Nunez said.

When asked if he could show an indication he maintains interest in Foster and Espinoza, Nunez picked up some English direction quickly.

He nodded yes, and laughed vigorously.

Showing a sense of humor: check.

Revealing his true punching wickedness: That comes Saturday.