UNO MAS

Charly Suarez didn’t get the decision he so badly wanted from the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) when his fight with Emanuel Navarrete last month was ruled a No-Contest and not a technical knockout victory for him.

In response to the ruling, the WBO immediately ordered an immediate rematch but as to where and when it is going to happen is anybody’s guess.

Navarrete, defending the World Boxing Organization (WBO) super-featherweight title in the 10 May contest in San Diego, California, was awarded an eighth-round technical decision win after referee Ed Collantes stopped the fight one second into the eighth stanza upon the advice of ringside physician Robert Ruelaz.

At the time of the stoppage, the bloodied Navarrete led by scores of 78-75, 77-76 and 77-76 after a strong start and was able to retain the WBO 130-pound crown as four rounds had already passed when Collantes heeded the doctor’s call.

The CSAC made the ruling after confirming that indeed, Suarez’s left — and not a clash of heads — that opened a nasty cut just above the Mexican’s left eyebrow.

Suarez’s camp — led by Ricardo Navalta — filed a protest with the CSAC immediately after the fight demanding that the win by Navarrete instead be overturned into a Suarez TKO victory.

If the CSAC had sided with Suarez, he would have been awarded the world title.

Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti, who joined the hearing via zoom, later announced that the Las Vegas-based promotional outfit will set up a rematch in the right time.

Navarrete remains under medical suspension by the CSAC owing to the cut that he suffered. His suspension will only be lifted in the first week of July, making it illegal for him to train.

It could not be determined if Top Rank will pair them together the soonest given Navarrete’s current state.

Suarez, though disappointed with the decision, is moving forward.

“To God be the glory. I am grateful for the efforts my team put into this endeavor, especially my manager Ric Navalta, head coach Delfin Boholst, legal adviser Atty. Juan Miguel Yambao of EVPN Law Office, and of course, to Gov. (Luis) Chavit Singson for providing my team the means to pursue the protest,” said Suarez, who remained unbeaten with a win-loss-draw record of 18-0-0 with ten knockouts.

“My team pushed for a reversal of the technical decision win for Navarrete into a TKO win in my favor. However, the CSAC deemed it more appropriate to change the bout to a no contest.”

“While this is not the result that we wanted, I believe this is still a positive outcome,” he said.

“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. I wish him a quick recovery. I intend to go back to training as soon as my coach comes back to Manila, mid-June.”

“Thank you to all my fans for their unrelenting support.”

“I will be back.”

Singson, who has been providing Suarez solid backup the last two years, was bitter about the CSAC’s decision but, like Suarez, is moving on from this rather unfortunate episode.

“It’s not the decision that we wanted and what Charly deserved. We still believe na nadaya si Charly. But we will abide by the decision. At least, hindi man si Charly ang declared na winner, binawi din ang panalo kay Navarrete. We will prepare for the rematch. Charly wants the rematch. The fans want to see that happen. Anytime, anywhere tayo.”

Moretti, in response to the DAILY TRIBUNE’s emailed question, said he could not say what happens if Navarrete decides to move up in weight and forgo a second meeting with the 36-year-old Filipino.

He also declined to say if the WBO would install Suarez as the new champion in the event that happens or if the boxing body would order a bout between Suarez and the next leading contender to fill in the vacancy.

“That…is a question for the WBO,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, reports from Mexico City reaching this paper, said that Navarrete remains interested in the rematch before finally trying his luck anew at lightweight (135 pounds).

The rematch could happen by October or November in case Navarrete keeps his word and gives Suarez another stab at the title.