Charly Suarez, Emanuel Navarrete poised for rematch
The Philippines’ Charly Suarez, right, unloads a punch against Mexico’s Emanuel Navarrete during their WBO super featherweight world title fight at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California, USA.–Photo from Top Rank/Mikey Williams
MANILA, Philippines–Filipino challenger Charly Suarez is expected to get a much deserved do-over against Mexico’s Emanuel Navarrete after a highly disputed end to their world title fight on Sunday (Manila time) in San Diego, California.
According to BoxingScene.com, the California State Athletic Commission, which regulates amateur and professional boxing, is poised to declare the bout as a no-contest.
READ: Charly Suarez loses title bout to Navarrete after controversial end
The fight was halted after seven rounds with Navarrete bleeding from a cut over his left eye caused by an accidental clash of heads as ruled by referee Edward Collantes in the sixth round.
As a result, the fight went to the scorecards at the time of the stoppage with all three judges having Navarrete ahead on points— 77-76, 77-76 and 78-75. Navarrete, who won via a seven-round technical decision, retained the WBO super featherweight strap.
Replay found after commission decision. @trboxing. Deserved rematch to come. pic.twitter.com/PS6EFbfq24
— Carl Moretti (@CarlMoretti) May 11, 2025
Video replay, however, clearly showed the gash was dealt by a solid left hand from Suarez and had it not been for Collantes’ blunder, the Davao del Norte native would’ve won the title by technical knockout.
A no-contest ruling will likely force the WBO to order a rematch between the two fighters.
Suarez made a good account of himself in his first world title fight at 36 years old against a proven champion in Navarrete, who has won major belts in three different weight classes.
READ: Charly Suarez wants ‘convincing’ win in world title fight
“He wasn’t [an] easy [opponent]. He’s experienced,” Navarrete said of Suarez through an interpreter during the post-fight interview.
Suarez was a decorated amateur before turning pro in 2019. He competed in the Rio Olympics in 2016, won three Southeast Asian Games gold medals and a bronze from 2009 to 2019 as well as a silver at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.
“Right now I’m sad, but that is part of the game, and I know that Navarrete won the fight, but that’s part of the game. I would like to make a rematch. I want a rematch with Navarrete,” said Suarez, who was 18-0 with 10 knockouts entering his encounter with Navarrete.
Top Rank Vice President of Operations Carl Moretti also spoke about a “deserved rematch to come” just hours after the fight.
