Top Rank has announced the signing of junior bantamweight prospect Steven “Kid Dynamite” Navarro, a 13-time U.S. national amateur champion who recently turned professional with a dramatic knockout. Navarro, 20, from Inglewood, California, is set to make his debut under the Top Rank banner in June.

Top Rank chairman Bob Arum expressed his enthusiasm for Navarro’s potential, noting, “Steven is a special talent who comes from a wonderful boxing family, and I am enthusiastic to see what he can achieve in his career.” Navarro himself is eager to begin his professional journey, stating, “My goal of becoming the best in the world has only just begun, and I can’t wait to demonstrate it to the world. I intend to storm through the junior bantamweight ranks. I believe Top Rank will give me the best chance to showcase my abilities.”

Navarro made his professional debut on April 6 in Las Vegas, achieving a sixth-round stoppage of veteran Jose Lopez, who had never been stopped as a pro. Last year, Navarro secured a silver medal at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Lafayette, Louisiana, after a controversial decision in the gold medal match. His amateur accolades include gold at the 2021 USA Youth National Championships and silver medals at both the 2021 Junior Pan American Games and the 2022 USA National Championships.

Navarro hails from a long line of boxers. His uncle, Jose Navarro, represented Team USA at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and challenged for a world title four times. His father and head trainer, Refugio Navarro, had 10 professional fights, and another uncle, Carlos Navarro, had a nearly 11-year pro career.

Image Credit: Top Rank