Suarez’s sad story

Emanuel Navarrete (right) and Charly Suarez.
Photograph courtesy of Top Rank
It’s kind of sad that there is no clear sign that Charly Suarez is going to fulfill his wish anytime soon.
Despite being the mandatory challenger in the World Boxing Organization’s (WBO) super-featherweight class, Suarez remains unsure when his shot at the title will come.
Obviously, Mexican champion Emanuel Navarrete doesn’t want to have anything to do with him following the result of their initial meeting more than a year ago in San Diego, California.
In that fight. Suarez opened a serious cut on Navarrete’s right eyebrow and the referee made a mistake in declaring that the wound was caused by an accidental clash of heads.
In fact, based on a super slo-mo, high-definition video replay, Suarez clearly landed a legal blow.
The ringside doctor ordered the bout stopped after examining Suarez’s cut and the scorecards of the three judges were collated.
During the count, Navarrete was leading on the scorecards and was declared winner by technical decision.
But the video replay came after the decision was announced and the fight was later turned to a No-Contest.
The California State Athletic Commission then upheld Suarez’s right to meet Navarrete in a rematch.
Instead of obliging, Navarrete fought and beat fellow Mexican Eduardo Nuñez in a unification match.
Suarez then reminded everyone involved, including Navarrete’s promoter Top Rank and the WBO about his lofty status but was ignored.
In the absence of a contract with Navarrete, Suarez’s camp, now led by seasoned matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz, arranged a fight for him next month in San Bernardino, California.
Suarez has to win to remain relevant.
But even a win doesn’t guarantee him that a shot at Navarrete is just around the corner.
Another major player has entered the scene and I won’t be shocked if he ends up getting a shot at Navarrete ahead of Suarez.
Ukrainian Vasyl Lomachenko has expressed deep interest in getting it on with Navarrete this year.
I’m telling you that I won’t be surprised if Suarez is still hunting for that elusive world title chance by the end of the year.
Lewkowicz has to step up big time for that not to happen.
Make your move, Sampson.
