The camp of Charly Suarez has reportedly filed an official appeal to the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) regarding the controversial finish of the Filipino pugilist’s WBO junior lightweight title bout with Mexico’s Emanuel Navarrete.
The championship fight between Suarez (18-1, 10 KOs) and Navarrete (40-2-1, 32 KOs) was a slugfest that ended prematurely due to what appears to be an incorrect judgment made by referee Edward Collantes. Navarrete sustained a deep cut in the sixth round and was ruled unfit to continue by ringside physician Dr. Robert Ruelaz at the start of the eight round.
The bout went to the scorecards thereafter as Collantes had ruled that Navarrete’s cut was caused by an accidental headbutt. But replays showed later on that it was actually inflicted by a sharp left straight from Suarez, who lost by scores of 78-75, 77-76, and 77-76.
Suarez later said he could’ve knocked out or beat Navarrete in the later rounds, pointing out that the Mexican appeared to be losing steam just as the fight was stopped.
With the formal appeal, Charly Suarez and his camp are asking the CSAC to either declare him the winner—something that would’ve happened if Collantes ruled correctly—or at least overturn Navarrete’s win into a no-contest.
Emanuel Navarrete Noncommital About Charly Suarez Rematch
Given the controversial ending of the Emanuel Navarrete vs. Charly Suarez title fight, a rematch appears to be the best recourse to settle things fairly. However, the WBO will be holding off on making any decision pending the ruling of the CSAC.
“Having the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) the legal authority and jurisdiction over the bout in question, the WBO must await an official final [and] definitive ruling by CSAC to proceed accordingly,” wrote WBO president Gustavo Olivieri on X.
For his part, Navarrete acknowledged that “a rematch would be very good” as he described Charly Suarez as “a great opponent.” However, he also pointed out that there are lots of things that need to be ironed out before a rematch can be set.
“Well, there’s a lot of things we still need to talk about,” Navarrete told reporters after the match. “I don’t manage my career by myself. We have [my manager], along with Top Rank, so we have to talk about a few things. But a rematch would be very good for all because there were still things pending in this fight. So, we can’t rule him out. He would be a great opponent. He was a great opponent. I know what he brings, so a rematch I think would be good. Regardless of what I do, I think something good is coming for me.”
Suarez, meanwhile, has made it clear he wants the rematch.
“I want a rematch with Emanuel Navarrete,” Suarez said, “because it was a good fight. … I respect Navarrete because he’s a good boxer. And if they give me a chance to rematch, it’s my honor. And I will do my best that the fight is very excellent and entertaining.”
At the moment, though, the proverbial ball is in the CSAC’s court. Until the commission makes a decision, Charly Suarez will have to wait.
