Charly Suarez gets clean 18-0 record back; WBO orders Emanuel Navarrete rematch

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The WBO meets Charly Suarez's camp halfway, declaring his controversial technical decision loss to Emanuel Navarrete a no-contest and ordering an immediate rematch for the WBO featherweight title

MANILA, Philippines – Charly Suarez was denied the crown, but got his clean slate back on top of another crack at Emanuel Navarrete’s WBO (World Boxing Organization) featherweight belt.

These developments arose on Monday, June 2 (Tuesday, June 3, Philippine time) after the CSAC (California State Athletic Commission) overturned Navarrete’s unanimous technical decision win over Suarez on May 10 and ruled it a “no contest,” prompting the WBO to order an immediate rematch.

Suarez thus retained his 18-0, 19 knockouts record while Navarrete remained 39-2-1 with 30 knockouts. More importantly, the Filipino Olympian can fight the Mexican again for the 126-pound title.

“While this is not the result that we wanted, I believe this is still a positive outcome,” Suarez said in a statement. “I am now focusing on the future. I am ready for a rematch. I hope Navarrete takes the fight because we have unfinished business to settle.”

If Navarrete ducks the rematch and opts to move up to super featherweight, Suarez retains his No. 1 ranking and will probably be pitted against No. 2 Kenichi Ogawa for the vacant throne.

Even if Navarrete agrees to a rematch, however, the fight may take some time for Top Rank Promotions to stage as the Mexican is on medical suspension until July 9 due to the controversial bloody cut above the left eye he sustained in the sixth round against Suarez at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California.

Referee Edward Collantes declared that the cut was caused by an accidental headbutt, and the fight went on. The ring physician waved it off at the first second of the eighth round, leaving the decision to the scorecards, which favored Navarrete, 78-77, 77-76, 77-76.

Post-fight reviews of the video footage, however, showed that it was Suarez’s left hook that opened the cut and should have been declared the winner via TKO (technical knockout) as per regulatory guidelines.

Delfin Boholst, Suarez’s trainer, who attended the CSAC meeting with Ric Navalta and lawyer Juan Miguel Yambao, lamented the “no contest” decision but welcomed the chance for his prized ward to tangle with Navarrete again.

According to Boholst, businessman/politician Chavit Singson, Suarez’s chief supporter, intends to talk with Top Rank honcho Bob Arum regarding the rematch soon.

“It’s not the decision that we wanted and what Charly deserved. We still believe that Charly was cheated. But we will abide by the decision. At least, though Charly was not declared the winner, Navarette’s win was rescinded,” Singson said.

“We will prepare for the rematch. Charly wants the rematch. The fans want to see that happen. Anytime, anywhere, we can go.”

Boholst said Suarez is on duty as a Philippine Army private first class at Fort (Andres) Bonifacio, and they will resume training when he returns to Manila on June 14. – Rappler.com