Unbeaten Filipino prizefighter Charly Suarez (18-0-1) will finally be back in action on July 18 (July 19, Philippine time) when he faces American fighter Manuel Avila (26-2-1) in a 10-round fight at the NOS Events Center in San Bernardino, California. The Suarez vs. Avila bout was originally scheduled for July 11 (July 12, Philippine time), but the fight card it was under was scrapped.
The fight versus Avila comes with huge risks for the 18-0 Suarez, who has been angling for a rematch with WBO super featherweight champion Emanuel Navarrete after their controversial first fight was overturned into a no-contest. A win sets the course toward a rematch; however, a loss could derail it, as it could mean Suarez losing his WBO No. 1 ranking and status as Navarrete’s mandatory challenger. The Filipino, though, is unfazed and confident.
“Last year I accepted that it was a no-contest, but they gave me this opportunity to fight again this coming July. (My team and I) will do our best to win our fight,” said Suarez, who boasts 10 knockouts in his 18 wins.
What Happened to Charly Suarez?
Charly Suarez hasn’t fought since May of last year, when he lost a razor-thin decision, 78-75, 77-76, and 77-76, to Emanuel Navarrete after the fight was called off in the eighth round due to a nasty cut on the Mexican’s left eyebrow.
The conclusion of that fight, however, was marred by controversy. Referee Edward Collantes ruled the cut as being caused by an accidental clash of heads, even though replays later on clearly showed it was caused by a punch—a left straight that grazed Navarrete’s eyebrow. Had Collantes ruled correctly that the cut was caused by a punch, Suarez would’ve won the fight outright by technical knockout.
Charly Suarez and his camp filed a formal protest afterward, and the WBO ultimately ruled in their favor. The sanctioning body even ordered a rematch, the negotiations of which should’ve begun in March. Unfortunately, Navarrete has sidestepped the rematch, leaving Suarez without the title shot he so deserves.
Big Things Could Await Charly Suarez
Should Charly Suarez take care of business against Avila, he could be in line for some big things. With a win, the Filipino should be in line for a rematch with Navarrete, who has since added the IBF crown to his WBO belt. In that case, Suarez could be fighting the Mexican for a unified championship if things go his way.
Even if the rematch doesn’t materialize, Charly Suarez could pivot to an equally career-defining match, this time against Vasily Lomachenko. Already retired, the Ukrainian legend is supposedly gearing for a comeback and has identified the Filipino prizefighter as a potential target—and stepping stone to get to Navarrete next.
A fight with Lomachenko won’t be for a title, but it could be a great consolation prize for Charly Suarez. That’s because a win over a legend should only put pressure on Navarrete to finally grant that long-awaited rematch.
But first, Charly Suarez needs to take care of business in July.
