So what was initially feared by the camp of top-rated Filipino super-featherweight Charly Suarez became official on Thursday when the unification fight starring Emanuel Navarrete and O’Shaquie Foster was formally announced.

The 24 October clash in San Antonio, Texas, will see Navarrete dangle his World Boxing Organization (WBO) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) 130-pound titles against Foster, who will put on the line his World Boxing Council (WBC) jewels.

To save face, the WBO even came out with a multi-page announcement explaining why the boxing body had to allow Navarrete to bypass for the second straight time Suarez.

To somehow silence Suarez, the WBO ordered that the winner of the Navarrete-Foster duel will have to defend against Suarez within 180 days.

If we follow that timetable, Suarez’ shot will happen sometime in April 2027 when he is just four months from his 39th birthday.

But you know, even that mandate is not carved in stone.

Remember, this is boxing, a sport one iconic American sportswriter labeled as “the red light district of sports.”

In the event Navarrete becomes a three-belt champion, don’t you think he and his backers will be shooting for the final piece of the puzzle?

Once Navarrete snatches Foster’s WBC strap, he would of course drool over the World Boxing Association belt as it would look regal alongside his WBO and IBF and the WBC, right?

And in the event that happens, Navarrete would have no more business staying at super-featherweight.

A likely scenario is for Navarrete to relinquish all titles and go up in weight and try to become a champion at lightweight.

By that time, Suarez, even if he still holds the status as mandatory challenger, will be close to 40 years old.

That’s boxing, folks.

I love the sport so much but it is unfortunate that these things happen.

What’s so sad about it is the fact that the victim here is a great guy, someone who doesn’t resort to foul play and is God-fearing.

Poor, Charly Suarez.

My heart bleeds for him.