Suarez on losing end of controversial stoppage
The Philippines’ Charly Suarez, right, unloads a punch against Mexico’s Emanuel Navarrete during their WBO super bantamweight world title fight at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California, USA.–Photo from Top Rank/Mikey Williams
Charly Suarez, a decorated amateur and Olympic boxer, came so close to a first-ever world title—until a contentious decision denied him the milestone.
Challenging Mexican star Emanuel Navarrete for the World Boxing Organization super featherweight crown, Suarez settled for the bitter end of a seven-round technical decision on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California.
A stoppage right before the eighth round was prompted by a gash on the defending champion’s left forehead, leading the fight to go to the judges’ scorecards—77-76, 77-76 and 78-75—all in favor of Navarrete.
The wound was initially attributed to an accidental clash of heads in the sixth round. However, replays later showed Suarez landing a crisp, clean left before the supposed headbutt.
‘It was a punch’
Suarez would have been crowned the new champion had the wound been attributed to his punch. But with the California State Athletic Commission deeming the initial reviews inconclusive, the decision of referee Edward Collantes stood.
“I think it was a punch,” Suarez said on the heels of the match that snapped his unblemished record, giving him his first loss since turning pro in 2019.
“I want Navarrete again,” said Suarez, who returns home with an 18-1 record, facing a narrowing window for a world title at 36 years old. “I hope to fight him again.”
Navarrete, who improved his record in world title duels to 13-0, had nothing but praise for the pride of Davao del Norte, who represented the Philippines in the Rio Olympiad and delivered multiple gold medals in the Southeast Asian Games.
“He’s strong, with a lot of experience. He drew the best out of me,” Navarrete said. INQ
